HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1269

 

 

 

As Reported by House Committee On:  

Transportation

 

Title:  An act relating to hardship waivers for vehicle owners in cases of suspended license vehicle impounds.

 

Brief Description:  Authorizing additional hardship waivers for vehicle owners in cases of suspended license vehicle impounds.

 

Sponsors:  Representatives Bush and Campbell.

 

Brief History: 

Committee Activity: 

Transportation:  2/21/01, 2/26/01 [DP].

 

  Brief Summary of Bill

 

$An exemption from the impound law is provided for the registered owner of a vehicle if the impound has caused economic or personal hardship; the owner was not the driver of the vehicle when it was impounded; and the owner has not received a prior hardship release.

 

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

 

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Fisher, Democratic Co‑Chair; Mitchell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cooper, Democratic Vice Chair; Ericksen, Republican Vice Chair; Lovick, Democratic Vice Chair; Ahern, Armstrong, G. Chandler, Edmonds, Haigh, Hurst, Jackley, Jarrett, Marine, Mielke, Morell, Murray, Ogden, Reardon, Rockefeller, Romero, Schindler, Simpson, Sump and Woods.

 

Minority Report:  Without recommendation. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Hankins, Republican Vice Chair; Anderson, Hatfield and Wood.

 

Staff:  Penny Nerup (786‑7335).

 

Background:

 

A vehicle driven by a person whose license is suspended can be impounded.  Under current law, if there is economic or personal hardship to the spouse of the suspended driver, an agency can issue a written order to release the vehicle to the spouse after taking into consideration public safety factors, like the driver=s criminal history and driving record.  There is no provision in the current law for a hardship exemption for anyone other than the spouse.

 

 

Summary of  Bill: 

 

The registered owner of a vehicle that has been impounded while being driven by a suspended driver can obtain an order to release the vehicle if 1) there is economic or personal hardship to the owner; 2) the owner was not the driver of the vehicle when it was impounded; and 3) the owner has not received a prior hardship release.

 

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Available.

 

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

 

Testimony For:  None.

 

Testimony Against:  None.

 

Testified:  None.