HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6326

As Passed House:

March 4, 2004

Title: An act relating to unlawful bus conduct.

Brief Description: Defining prohibited bus conduct.

Sponsors: By Senators Esser, McCaslin, Oke, Roach, Eide, Kline and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 2/25/04, 3/1/04 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/4/04, 94-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 27 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; G. Simpson, Vice Chair; Ericksen, Ranking Minority Member; Jarrett, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Bailey, Campbell, Clibborn, Cooper, Dickerson, Flannigan, Hankins, Hatfield, Hudgins, Kristiansen, Lovick, Mielke, Morris, Nixon, Rodne, Romero, Schindler, Shabro, Wallace, Wood and Woods.

Staff: Jill Satran (786-7315).

Background:

A person is guilty of unlawful bus conduct if, while riding a municipal transit vehicle or at a municipal transit station, he or she:

•    smokes (except while at a transit station);

•    litters;

•    plays a stereo too loud without headphones;

•    spits;

•    carries flammable liquid, explosive or other harmful material;

•    intentionally obstructs the flow of municipal transit vehicles or passengers;

•    intentionally disturbs others; or

•    destroys or defaces municipal transit property.

Unlawful bus conduct is a misdemeanor, punishable by no more than 90 days in jail and/or a fine of not more than $1,000. "Municipal transit station" and "municipal transit vehicles" are defined, and do not include facilities or vehicles operated by a regional transit authority.

Summary of Bill:

The definitions of "municipal transit station" and "municipal transit vehicle" are amended to include facilities or vehicles operated by a regional transit authority. Unlawful bus conduct offenses apply to persons in facilities or vehicles operated by regional transit authorities.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill extends the same protections to Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) as are currently afforded municipal transit systems. The RTAs were not contemplated in 1994 when the "unlawful bus conduct" statute was passed and now that Sound Transit is in place, this misdemeanor should be extended to apply to conduct in its' facilities and vehicles.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Senator Esser, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.