HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1419

As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to drivers required to use ignition interlock or other biological or technical devices.

Brief Description:  Requiring a notation in the driving record when a driver is required to use an ignition interlock or other biological or technical device.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Hurst, Esser, Lantz, Carrell, Haigh, O'Brien, Roach and Ruderman.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Judiciary:  2/2/01, 2/22/01 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/12/01, 98-0.

Passed Senate: 4/5/01, 49-0.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Makes a driver's record rather than a driver's license the place where a notation must be made regarding the driver's required used of an ignition interlock.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Carrell, Republican Co‑Chair; Lantz, Democratic Co‑Chair; Hurst, Democratic Vice Chair; Lambert, Republican Vice Chair; Boldt, Casada, Dickerson, Esser, Lovick and McDermott.

Staff:  Bill Perry (786‑7123).

Background:

An ignition interlock is a device that prevents a person who has recently consumed alcohol from starting a motor vehicle.

For any offense involving the use, consumption, or possession of alcohol that is committed while driving, the court may order that an ignition interlock system be installed on any car the person is to drive.  For all DUI offenders (except first-time offenders with low alcohol concentrations) the court must order the use of an interlock.  The time that the interlock must be used begins after any period of driver's license loss, and the length of required use increases with the number of times an interlock has been ordered in the past.  The periods of required use range from one year to 10 years.

The Department of Licensing  is directed to "attach or imprint" a notation on the driver's license of any person who has been ordered to use an ignition interlock.  It is a misdemeanor "for a person with such a notation" to drive a vehicle without an interlock.

Apparently, in some instances persons who have been ordered to use an interlock have not had their driver's licenses marked, and courts have refused to convict them of violating the interlock law.

Summary of Bill:

Notations of required ignition interlock use are to be made on the driving records maintained by the Department of Licensing, rather than on the driver's license.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  The bill will close a loophole in the law that is preventing some violators from being punished.  Marking driver=s licenses is ineffective.  Police will be able to access Department of Licensing records easily.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Hurst, prime sponsor; and Doug Levy and Michelle Walker, city of Kent.