FINAL BILL REPORT

 

                           SSB 6505

 

                           C 45 L 94

 

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

 

 

Brief Description:  Providing for public facility transit security.

 

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators M. Rasmussen, Prince, Vognild, Sellar, Winsley and Drew)

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

Currently there are no statutes that permit the issuance of an injunction or restraining order against a person who repeatedly obstructs the operation of transit vehicles.

 

Counties, cities, towns and other municipalities have no express statutory authority to restrict persons from carrying firearms on transit vehicles, in transit stations, or on transit property, although some transit agencies have rules and regulations restricting firearms.

 

SUMMARY:

 

It is a public nuisance to obstruct or impede the operation of municipal transit vehicles, or to obstruct or impede access to municipal transit stations.  An action may be brought by the transit agency to enjoin the person creating the nuisance from continuing such behavior.  Persons who obstruct, impede or interfere with the operation of transit vehicles are guilty of unlawful bus conduct, which is a misdemeanor.

 

A "municipal transit station" means all facilities, structures, lands, interest in lands, air rights over lands, and rights-of-way of all kinds that are owned, leased, held or used by cities, towns, counties and any other municipalities for the purpose of providing public transit, including park and ride lots, transit centers and tunnels, and bus shelters.

 

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

 

Senate    48   0

House     96   0

 

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1994