SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5470

               As Passed Senate, March 13, 1997

Title:  An act relating to passing school buses.

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).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/27/97, 3/5/97 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/13/97, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5470 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prince, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Goings, Haugen, Heavey, Horn, Jacobsen, Morton, Oke, Patterson and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Jeff Doyle (786-7322)

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 of Bill:  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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Too many drivers pass school buses illegally, when students are loading or unloading from the bus.  This is  a danger especially to younger children.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Rossi, prime sponsor; Susan Braukus, Sharron Goodman, Connie O=Donnell, Barbara Johnson, Carol Tennison, Walt Lenahan, Marge Durfey, Public School Employees; Marsh Pugh, WA State Patrol; NEUTRAL:  Steve Lind, Traffic Safety Commission.