HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 2516

                              As Passed House

                             February 13, 1992

Title:  An act relating to unlawful bus conduct.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting unlawful conduct in transit stations.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Cooper, H. Myers, Morris, Prince, G. Fisher, Riley and Paris.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 4, 1992, DP;

Passed House, February 13, 1992, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 26 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; R. Meyers, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brough; Cantwell; Cooper; Day; G. Fisher; Forner; Haugen; Heavey; Horn; P. Johnson; R. Johnson; Jones; Kremen; Mitchell; Nelson; Orr; Prentice; Prince; Schmidt; Wilson; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Jeff Doyle (786-7322).

Background:  Currently, persons riding municipal transit vehicles are prohibited from smoking, littering, spitting, playing loud music, carrying explosives or flammable liquids, or intentionally disturbing others by engaging in loud or unruly behavior.  Any violation of this statute is punishable as a misdemeanor.

Summary of Bill:  Persons riding in municipal transit vehicles or waiting for transportation at a municipal transit station are guilty of unlawful bus conduct if they litter, spit, play loud music, carry explosives or flammable liquids, or intentionally disturb others by engaging in loud or unruly behavior.  Any violation of this statute is punishable as a misdemeanor.

Persons who smoke at transit stations may not be cited for unlawful bus conduct.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Potential transit riders often feel annoyance, apprehension or fear of persons engaging in mischievous conduct while waiting at a transit station or stop.  This perceived threat prevents many citizens, particularly senior citizens, from riding transit.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Chuck Williams, Clark County Transit (C-Tran).