BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to drunk driving; amending RCW 46.61.5055, 46.61.5058, and 46.20.391; adding a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.16 RCW; prescribing penalties; making an appropriation; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 46.61.5055 and 1996 c 307 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A person who is convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 and who has no prior offense within ((~~five~~)) seven years shall be punished as follows:

(a) In the case of a person whose alcohol concentration was less than 0.15, or for whom for reasons other than the person's refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308 there is no test result indicating the person's alcohol concentration:

(i) By imprisonment for not less than ((~~one~~)) two days nor more than one year. ((~~Twenty-four~~)) Two consecutive ((~~hours~~)) days of the imprisonment may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason for granting the suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based; and

(ii) By a fine of not less than ((~~three~~)) five hundred ((~~fifty~~)) dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. ((~~Three~~)) Five hundred ((~~fifty~~)) dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the offender to be indigent; and

(iii) By suspension of the offender's license or permit to drive, or suspension of any nonresident privilege to drive, for a period of ninety days. The period of license, permit, or privilege suspension may not be suspended. The court shall notify the department of licensing of the conviction, and upon receiving notification of the conviction the department shall suspend the offender's license, permit, or privilege; or

(b) In the case of a person whose alcohol concentration was at least 0.15, or for whom by reason of the person's refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308 there is no test result indicating the person's alcohol concentration:

(i) By imprisonment for not less than ((~~two~~)) three days nor more than one year. ((~~Two~~)) Three consecutive days of the imprisonment may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason for granting the suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based; and

(ii) By a fine of not less than ((~~five~~)) seven hundred fifty dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. ((~~Five~~)) Seven hundred fifty dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the offender to be indigent; and

(iii) By suspension of the offender's license or permit to drive, or suspension of any nonresident privilege to drive, for a period of one hundred twenty days. The period of license, permit, or privilege suspension may not be suspended. The court shall notify the department of licensing of the conviction, and upon receiving notification of the conviction the department shall suspend the offender's license, permit, or privilege.

(2) A person who is convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 and who has one prior offense within ((~~five~~)) seven years shall be punished as follows:

(i) By imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than one year. Thirty days of the imprisonment may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason for granting the suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based; and

(ii) By a fine of not less than ((~~five hundred~~)) one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. ((~~Five hundred~~)) One thousand dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the offender to be indigent; and

(iii) By permanent revocation of the offender's license or permit to drive, or ((~~suspension~~)) permanent revocation of any nonresident privilege to drive((~~, for a period of one year~~)). The ((~~period~~)) permanent revocation of a license, permit, or privilege ((~~revocation~~)) may not be suspended. The court shall notify the department of licensing of the conviction, and upon receiving notification of the conviction the department shall permanently revoke the offender's license, permit, or privilege; or

(i) By imprisonment for not less than forty-five days nor more than one year. Forty-five days of the imprisonment may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason for granting the suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based; and

(ii) By a fine of not less than ((~~seven~~)) one thousand five hundred ((~~fifty~~)) dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. ((~~Seven~~)) One thousand five hundred ((~~fifty~~)) dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the offender to be indigent; and

(iii) By permanent revocation of the offender's license or permit to drive, or ((~~suspension~~)) permanent revocation of any nonresident privilege to drive((~~, for a period of four hundred fifty days~~)). The ((~~period~~)) permanent revocation of a license, permit, or privilege ((~~revocation~~)) may not be suspended. The court shall notify the department of licensing of the conviction, and upon receiving notification of the conviction the department shall permanently revoke the offender's license, permit, or privilege.

(3) A person who is convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 and who has two or more prior offenses ((~~within five years~~)) shall be punished as follows:

(a) ((In the case of a person whose alcohol concentration was less than 0.15, or for whom for reasons other than the person's refusal to take a test offered pursuant to RCW 46.20.308 there is no test result indicating the person's alcohol concentration:

~~(i)~~)) By imprisonment for not less than ((~~ninety days nor more than~~)) one year. ((~~Ninety days~~)) One year of the imprisonment may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason for granting the suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based; and

((~~(ii)~~)) (b) By a fine of not less than ((~~one~~)) two thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. ((~~One~~)) Two thousand dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the offender to be indigent; and

((~~(iii)~~)) (c) By permanent revocation of the offender's license or permit to drive, or ((~~suspension~~)) permanent revocation of any nonresident privilege to drive((~~, for a period of two years~~)). The ((~~period~~)) permanent revocation of a license, permit, or privilege ((~~revocation~~)) may not be suspended. The court shall notify the department of licensing of the conviction, and upon receiving notification of the conviction the department shall permanently revoke the offender's license, permit, or privilege((~~; or~~

(i) By imprisonment for not less than one hundred twenty days nor more than one year. One hundred twenty days of the imprisonment may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to the offender's physical or mental well-being. Whenever the mandatory minimum sentence is suspended or deferred, the court shall state in writing the reason for granting the suspension or deferral and the facts upon which the suspension or deferral is based; and

(ii) By a fine of not less than one thousand five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars. One thousand five hundred dollars of the fine may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the offender to be indigent; and

(iii) By revocation of the offender's license or permit to drive, or suspension of any nonresident privilege to drive, for a period of three years. The period of license, permit, or privilege revocation may not be suspended. The court shall notify the department of licensing of the conviction, and upon receiving notification of the conviction the department shall revoke the offender's license, permit, or privilege)).

(4) In exercising its discretion in setting penalties within the limits allowed by this section, the court shall particularly consider whether the person's driving at the time of the offense was responsible for injury or damage to another or another's property.

(5) An offender punishable under this section is subject to the alcohol assessment and treatment provisions of RCW 46.61.5056.

(6) After expiration of any period of suspension ((~~or revocation~~)) of the offender's license, permit, or privilege to drive required by this section, the department shall place the offender's driving privilege in probationary status pursuant to RCW 46.20.355.

(7)(a) In addition to any nonsuspendable and nondeferrable jail sentence required by this section, whenever the court imposes less than one year in jail, the court shall also suspend but shall not defer a period of confinement for a period not exceeding two years. The court shall impose conditions of probation that include: (i) Not driving a motor vehicle within this state without a valid license to drive and proof of financial responsibility for the future; (ii) not driving a motor vehicle within this state while having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours after driving; and (iii) not refusing to submit to a test of his or her breath or blood to determine alcohol concentration upon request of a law enforcement officer who has reasonable grounds to believe the person was driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. The court may impose conditions of probation that include nonrepetition, alcohol or drug treatment, supervised probation, or other conditions that may be appropriate. The sentence may be imposed in whole or in part upon violation of a condition of probation during the suspension period.

(b) For each violation of mandatory conditions of probation under (a)(i) and (ii) or (a)(i) and (iii) of this subsection, the court shall order the convicted person to be confined for thirty days, which shall not be suspended or deferred.

(c) For each incident involving a violation of a mandatory condition of probation imposed under this subsection, the license, permit, or privilege to drive of the person shall be suspended by the court for thirty days or, if such license, permit, or privilege to drive already is suspended, revoked, or denied at the time the finding of probation violation is made, the suspension, revocation, or denial then in effect shall be extended by thirty days. The court shall notify the department of any suspension, revocation, or denial or any extension of a suspension, revocation, or denial imposed under this subsection.

(8) For purposes of this section:

(a) A "prior offense" means any of the following:

(i) A conviction for a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or an equivalent local ordinance;

(ii) A conviction for a violation of RCW 46.61.504 or an equivalent local ordinance;

(iii) A conviction for a violation of RCW 46.61.520 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug;

(iv) A conviction for a violation of RCW 46.61.522 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug;

(v) A conviction for a violation of RCW 46.61.525(1) or an equivalent local ordinance, if the conviction is the result of a charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance, or of RCW 46.61.520 or 46.61.522;

(vi) An out-of-state conviction for a violation that would have been a violation of (a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) of this subsection if committed in this state;

(vii) A deferred prosecution under chapter 10.05 RCW granted in a prosecution for a violation of RCW 46.61.502, 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance; or

(viii) A deferred prosecution under chapter 10.05 RCW granted in a prosecution for a violation of RCW 46.61.525(1), or an equivalent local ordinance, if the charge under which the deferred prosecution was granted was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or ((~~46.61.502~~)) 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance, or of RCW 46.61.520 or 46.61.522.

(b) "Within five years" means that the arrest for a prior offense occurred within five years of the arrest for the current offense.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 46.61 RCW to read as follows:

A person who drives a vehicle within this state after his or her license has been permanently revoked pursuant to RCW 46.61.5055 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars and by imprisonment for one year. A second or subsequent violation of this section is a class C felony and shall be punished by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars and by imprisonment for seven years. Periods of imprisonment to be imposed under this section for either gross misdemeanor or felony violations are mandatory and may not be suspended or deferred. Sentences imposed for felony violations are not subject to the exceptional sentence provisions or the earned early release provisions of the sentencing reform act.

Sec. 3. RCW 46.61.5058 and 1995 c 332 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Upon the arrest of a person or upon the filing of a complaint, citation, or information in a court of competent jurisdiction, based upon probable cause to believe that a person has violated RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 or any similar municipal ordinance, ((~~if such person has a prior offense within five years as defined in RCW 46.61.5055,~~)) and where the person has been provided written notice that any transfer, sale, or encumbrance of such person's interest in the vehicle over which that person was actually driving or had physical control when the violation occurred, is unlawful pending either acquittal, dismissal, sixty days after conviction, or other termination of the charge, such person shall be prohibited from encumbering, selling, or transferring his or her interest in such vehicle, except as otherwise provided in (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection, until either acquittal, dismissal, sixty days after conviction, or other termination of the charge. The prohibition against transfer of title shall not be stayed pending the determination of an appeal from the conviction.

(a) A vehicle encumbered by a bona fide security interest may be transferred to the secured party or to a person designated by the secured party;

(b) A leased or rented vehicle may be transferred to the lessor, rental agency, or to a person designated by the lessor or rental agency; and

(c) A vehicle may be transferred to a third party or a vehicle dealer who is a bona fide purchaser or may be subject to a bona fide security interest in the vehicle unless it is established that (i) in the case of a purchase by a third party or vehicle dealer, such party or dealer had actual notice that the vehicle was subject to the prohibition prior to the purchase, or (ii) in the case of a security interest, the holder of the security interest had actual notice that the vehicle was subject to the prohibition prior to the encumbrance of title.

(2) On conviction for a violation of either RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 or any similar municipal ordinance ((~~where the person convicted has a prior offense within five years as defined in RCW 46.61.5055~~)), the motor vehicle the person was driving or over which the person had actual physical control at the time of the offense, if the person has a financial interest in the vehicle, is subject to seizure and forfeiture pursuant to this section.

(3) A vehicle subject to forfeiture under this chapter may be seized by a law enforcement officer of this state upon process issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. Seizure of a vehicle may be made without process if the vehicle subject to seizure has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the state in a forfeiture proceeding based upon this section.

(4) Seizure under subsection (3) of this section automatically commences proceedings for forfeiture. The law enforcement agency under whose authority the seizure was made shall cause notice of the seizure and intended forfeiture of the seized vehicle to be served within fifteen days after the seizure on the owner of the vehicle seized, on the person in charge of the vehicle, and on any person having a known right or interest in the vehicle, including a community property interest. The notice of seizure may be served by any method authorized by law or court rule, including but not limited to service by certified mail with return receipt requested. Service by mail is complete upon mailing within the fifteen-day period after the seizure. Notice of seizure in the case of property subject to a security interest that has been perfected on a certificate of title shall be made by service upon the secured party or the secured party's assignee at the address shown on the financing statement or the certificate of title.

(5) If no person notifies the seizing law enforcement agency in writing of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession of the seized vehicle within forty-five days of the seizure, the vehicle is deemed forfeited.

(6) If a person notifies the seizing law enforcement agency in writing of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession of the seized vehicle within forty-five days of the seizure, the law enforcement agency shall give the person or persons a reasonable opportunity to be heard as to the claim or right. The hearing shall be before the chief law enforcement officer of the seizing agency or the chief law enforcement officer's designee, except where the seizing agency is a state agency as defined in RCW 34.12.020, the hearing shall be before the chief law enforcement officer of the seizing agency or an administrative law judge appointed under chapter 34.12 RCW, except that any person asserting a claim or right may remove the matter to a court of competent jurisdiction. Removal may only be accomplished according to the rules of civil procedure. The person seeking removal of the matter must serve process against the state, county, political subdivision, or municipality that operates the seizing agency, and any other party of interest, in accordance with RCW 4.28.080 or 4.92.020, within forty-five days after the person seeking removal has notified the seizing law enforcement agency of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession. The court to which the matter is to be removed shall be the district court when the aggregate value of the vehicle is within the jurisdictional limit set forth in RCW 3.66.020. A hearing before the seizing agency and any appeal therefrom shall be under Title 34 RCW. In a court hearing between two or more claimants to the vehicle involved, the prevailing party shall be entitled to a judgment for costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. The burden of producing evidence shall be upon the person claiming to be the legal owner or the person claiming to have the lawful right to possession of the vehicle. The seizing law enforcement agency shall promptly return the vehicle to the claimant upon a determination by the administrative law judge or court that the claimant is the present legal owner under Title 46 RCW or is lawfully entitled to possession of the vehicle.

(7) When a vehicle is forfeited under this chapter the seizing law enforcement agency may sell the vehicle, retain it for official use, or upon application by a law enforcement agency of this state release the vehicle to that agency for the exclusive use of enforcing this title; provided, however, that the agency shall first satisfy any bona fide security interest to which the vehicle is subject under subsection (1) (a) or (c) of this section.

(8) When a vehicle is forfeited, the seizing agency shall keep a record indicating the identity of the prior owner, if known, a description of the vehicle, the disposition of the vehicle, the value of the vehicle at the time of seizure, and the amount of proceeds realized from disposition of the vehicle.

(9) Each seizing agency shall retain records of forfeited vehicles for at least seven years.

(10) Each seizing agency shall file a report including a copy of the records of forfeited vehicles with the state treasurer each calendar quarter.

(11) The quarterly report need not include a record of a forfeited vehicle that is still being held for use as evidence during the investigation or prosecution of a case or during the appeal from a conviction.

(12) By January 31st of each year, each seizing agency shall remit to the state treasurer an amount equal to ten percent of the net proceeds of vehicles forfeited during the preceding calendar year. Money remitted shall be deposited in the public safety and education account.

(13) The net proceeds of a forfeited vehicle is the value of the forfeitable interest in the vehicle after deducting the cost of satisfying a bona fide security interest to which the vehicle is subject at the time of seizure((;)) and ((~~in the case of a sold vehicle,~~)) after deducting the cost of seizure, storage, and sale, including reasonable fees or commissions paid to independent selling agents.

(14) The value of a sold forfeited vehicle is the sale price. The value of a retained forfeited vehicle is the fair market value of the vehicle at the time of seizure, determined when possible by reference to an applicable commonly used index, such as the index used by the department of licensing. A seizing agency may, but need not, use an independent qualified appraiser to determine the value of retained vehicles. If an appraiser is used, the value of the vehicle appraised is net of the cost of the appraisal.

Sec. 4. RCW 46.20.391 and 1995 c 332 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any person licensed under this chapter who is convicted of an offense relating to motor vehicles for which suspension or revocation of the driver's license is mandatory, other than vehicular homicide or vehicular assault or a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, may submit to the department an application for an occupational driver's license. The department, upon receipt of the prescribed fee and upon determining that the petitioner is engaged in an occupation or trade that makes it essential that the petitioner operate a motor vehicle, may issue an occupational driver's license and may set definite restrictions as provided in RCW 46.20.394. No person may petition for, and the department shall not issue, an occupational driver's license that is effective during the first thirty days of any suspension ((~~or revocation~~)) imposed for a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504. A person aggrieved by the decision of the department on the application for an occupational driver's license may request a hearing as provided by rule of the department.

(2) An applicant for an occupational driver's license is eligible to receive such license only if:

(a) Within one year immediately preceding the date of the offense that gave rise to the present conviction, the applicant has not committed any offense relating to motor vehicles for which suspension or revocation of a driver's license is mandatory; and

(b) Within five years immediately preceding the date of the offense that gave rise to the present conviction, the applicant has not committed any of the following offenses: (i) Driving or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor; (ii) vehicular homicide under RCW 46.61.520; or (iii) vehicular assault under RCW 46.61.522; and

(c) The applicant is engaged in an occupation or trade that makes it essential that he or she operate a motor vehicle; and

(d) The applicant files satisfactory proof of financial responsibility pursuant to chapter 46.29 RCW.

(3) The director shall cancel an occupational driver's license upon receipt of notice that the holder thereof has been convicted of operating a motor vehicle in violation of its restrictions, or of an offense that pursuant to chapter 46.20 RCW would warrant suspension or revocation of a regular driver's license. The cancellation is effective as of the date of the conviction, and continues with the same force and effect as any suspension or revocation under this title.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 46.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) No person whose license to drive, permit to drive, or nonresident privilege to drive is suspended, revoked, or permanently revoked may obtain, and the department shall not issue to such a person, a certificate of vehicle ownership, vehicle license number plates, or certificate of license registration, whether original issue or duplicate, for a motor vehicle.

(2) No person whose license to drive, permit to drive, or nonresident privilege to drive is suspended, revoked, or permanently revoked may purchase, lease, or rent a motor vehicle. No individual or dealer may knowingly sell, lease, or rent a motor vehicle to a person whose license to drive, permit to drive, or nonresident privilege to drive is suspended, revoked, or permanently revoked. A violation of this subsection is a gross misdemeanor punishable as provided for in chapter 9A.20 RCW.

(3) A person who does not have a valid license or permit to drive for reasons other than the suspension, revocation, or permanent revocation of his or her license or permit may apply for and the department shall issue a certificate indicating that the person's license, permit, or privilege is not suspended, revoked, or permanently revoked. No such certificate may be valid for more than thirty days. Any individual or dealer may sell, lease, or rent a motor vehicle to a person who possesses a valid license or permit to drive or who possesses a valid certificate issued under this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:

No person whose license to drive, permit to drive, or nonresident privilege to drive is suspended, revoked, or permanently revoked may obtain, and the department shall not issue to such a person, a vehicle license or vehicle license number plates under RCW 46.16.010.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1998, from the general fund to the department of licensing for electronic media advertising of the contents of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 1997.