SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6233

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Law & Justice, February 4, 1997

Title:  An act relating to revocation of driving privileges.

Brief Description:  Revoking driving privileges for alcohol violations until the person is age twenty‑one.

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Roach, Swecker, Fairley, Stevens, Zarelli, Rossi, Snyder, Long, McAuliffe and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  1/26/98, 2/4/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6233 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Johnson, Vice Chair; Fairley, Goings, Hargrove, Kline, Long, McCaslin, Stevens, Thibaudeau and Zarelli.

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786-7755)

Background:  In 1988, the Aminor in possession@ law was passed by the Washington State Legislature.  Among other things, it revokes a juvenile=s driving privileges when he or she is caught in possession of drugs or alcohol.  A juvenile is defined in statute as any individual under the chronological age of 18 years.  There is concern that this law has sent an unintended signal to those individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 years that it is okay for them to possess liquor.  Proponents of this bill believe that if someone between the ages of 18 and 21 years is drinking or doing drugs, he or she is not responsible enough to be driving a car.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Department of Licensing must revoke all driving privileges of persons under the age of 21 years when the department receives notice of a violation of RCW 66.44.  RCW 66.44 includes the offenses of opening or consuming liquor in a public place, illegal possession of an alcoholic beverage and possession of liquor by a person under the age of 21.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The effective date of the bill is January 1, 1999 and the original bill had an effective date of 90 days after adjournment of session.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 23, 1998.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect January 1, 1999.

Testimony For:  HB 1482 was passed by the Legislature in 1988 and it is known as the Aminor in possession@ statute.  This bill removes the gray area of 18 to 21 year olds.  It is illegal for those who are 18 to 21 years old to possess alcohol and this bill will cause them to lose their driving privileges if they are caught.  Kids pay attention when they hear they can lose their licenses.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Rasmussen, prime sponsor; Steve Lind, Washington Traffic Safety Commission; Debbie Schmidt, DOL.