HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6614

As Reported by House Committee On:

Transportation

Title: An act relating to damages for unauthorized impounds.

Brief Description: Removing the damages floor for unauthorized impounds.

Sponsors: Senators Poulsen, Murray, Hewitt, Sheahan and Brown.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

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

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 26 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, Rodne, Romero, Schindler, Shabro, Wallace, Wood and Woods.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Nixon.

Staff: Page Scott (786-7301).

Background:

If a person believes that his or her vehicle has been impounded in violation of state law, he or she has a right to a hearing in district or municipal court to contest the impoundment. If the court finds the impoundment to be improper, the vehicle owner does not have to pay the cost for impoundment, towing, or storage fees. Instead, the person or agency who authorized the impoundment is liable for these fees.

In addition to impoundment, towing and storage fees, the court shall enter judgment in favor of the vehicle owner for the amount of the filing fee as well as reasonable damages for loss of the use of the vehicle during the time the vehicle was impounded. The minimum amount of damages the court must award for loss of use of the vehicle is $50 per day.

Summary of Bill:

The $50 per day minimum is removed from a court judgment for loss of use of the vehicle during an improper impound.

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: None.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.