SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5571

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Transportation, January 26, 2000

Title:  An act relating to recovery of penalties for commercial vehicle violations.

Brief Description:  Compensating the state patrol for costs of recovering penalties for commercial vehicle violations.

Sponsors:  Senators Gardner, Benton, Eide, Haugen and Winsley; by request of Washington State Patrol.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  3/4/99, 3/5/99 [DP]; 1/26/00 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senator Heavey.

Staff:  Jennifer Ziegler (786-7316)

Background:  As part of the commercial vehicle enforcement program, the Washington State Patrol conducts terminal safety audits.  During the audits, the patrol assesses a fine for those individuals or companies found in violation of any laws or state patrol rules.  If the individual or company does not pay the fine, the Attorney General files suit to collect the unpaid fines.  The expenses for filing the suit often exceed the penalty due.

Summary of Bill:  In addition to recovered penalties, a court must award to the State Patrol attorneys= fees and costs incurred in recovering terminal safety audit penalties.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The State Patrol currently loses money when collecting terminal safety audit penalties.  This legislation just enables the State Patrol to recover the actual cost of collecting those penalties.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Capt. Eric Robertson, WSP (pro); Larry Pursley, WA Trucking Assn. (pro).