SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 2516

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 25, 1992

Brief Description:  Prohibiting unlawful conduct in transit stations.

SPONSORS: Representatives Cooper, H. Myers, Morris, Prince, G. Fisher, Riley and Paris

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Barr, Conner, Erwin, W. Hansen, Madsen, Oke, Sellar, Skratek, Snyder, Thorsness, and Vognild.

Staff:  Jeff Doyle (786‑7322)

Hearing Dates: February 25, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Currently, persons riding in 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 the statute is punishable as a criminal misdemeanor.

These provisions do not apply to transit stations, bus stops or park and ride lots.

SUMMARY:

Persons waiting for transportation at a municipal transit station who engage in littering, spitting, playing loud music, carrying explosives or flammable liquids, or intentionally disturbing others with loud or unruly behavior are guilty of unlawful bus conduct, a criminal misdemeanor.

Persons waiting for transit may smoke if not otherwise prohibited.  Persons who smoke in a nonsmoking transit station may not be punished under this statute.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

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

TESTIFIED:  Rep. David Cooper, prime sponsor; Chuck Williams, Clark County Transit (C-Tran); Dan Snow, Washington State Transit Association