SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1558

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Transportation, March 31, 1999

Title:  An act relating to release of impounded vehicles.

Brief Description:  Tightening requirements for release of impounded vehicles.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Mitchell, Hatfield, McDonald, Poulsen, Bush, Constantine and Radcliff; by request of Washington State Patrol).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  3/25/99, 3/31/99 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Goings, Vice Chair; Benton, Costa, Eide, Finkbeiner, Horn, Jacobsen, Johnson, Morton, Oke, Patterson, Sellar, Sheahan, T. Sheldon and Shin.

Staff:  Jennifer Hanlon Ziegler (786-7316)

Background:  A vehicle operated by a person with a suspended driver's license is subject to impound by a law enforcement officer.  To redeem the vehicle, the registered owner must establish with the agency ordering the impound that all penalties, fines, or forfeitures have been satisfied.  The court gives the registered owner a notice of adjudication which demonstrates payment of all penalties and fines.  The vehicle is not released without proof of payment.

Summary of Amended Bill:  An impounded vehicle operated by a registered owner with a suspended driver's license is not released until the owner establishes with the court of jurisdiction or the agency that ordered the impound that any penalties, fines, or forfeitures relating to the impound have been satisfied.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The registered owner may establish that all fines have been paid, with the court or with the agency ordering the impound.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Some agencies do not have the ability to verify the payment of fines.  This legislation enables the registered owner to take the appropriate court document directly to the impoundment facility.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Capt. Eric Robertson, WSP (pro).