FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5470

                           C 80 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Doubling penalties for passing school buses.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Rossi, Hargrove, Benton, Sellar, Morton, Winsley, Finkbeiner, Oke, Hochstatter, Long, Swecker, Johnson, Zarelli and Strannigan).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation Policy & Budget

Background:  The basic fine for the traffic infraction of failing to stop for a school bus that has its red lights on (i.e., discharging or picking up school children) is $80. There is an additional surcharge for court costs.

Summary:  The basic fine for the traffic infraction of failing to stop for a school bus that has its red lights on is doubled, to $160.  These fines may not be waived, reduced or suspended.  Fifty percent of this fine ($80) is deposited into the school zone safety account to be used for traffic safety in and around schools, and for student safety in school bus loading and unloading zones.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 48 0

House     98 0

Effective:  July 27, 1997