SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1088

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Highways & Transportation, April 3, 2003

Title: An act relating to removal of illegally parked vehicles.

Brief Description: Authorizing removal of vehicles from restricted parking zones.

Sponsors: Representatives Fromhold and Moeller.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 4/1/03, 4/3/03 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Finkbeiner, Haugen, Jacobsen, Kastama, Oke, Prentice and Spanel.

Staff: Kimberly Johnson (786-7346)

Background: Generally, unauthorized vehicles left unattended on a public highway are subject to impoundment after 24 hours have passed and the vehicle has been tagged with proper notification by an officer. However, under limited circumstances, a police officer may take immediate custody of a vehicle and provide for its prompt removal to a place of safety. Examples of such circumstances include: when a vehicle is discovered to be stolen; when a driver is arrested and taken into custody; or when a vehicle is left unattended on a highway in an unincorporated area and is obstructing traffic or jeopardizing public safety.

Summary of Amended Bill: A police officer may take custody of a vehicle and have it removed to a place of safety when it is illegally occupying a zone where, by order of the director of transportation or chiefs of police or fire, parking is limited to certain classes of vehicles or is prohibited during designated times. Additionally, removal requires that the vehicle be interfering with the proper and intended use of the zone. Some of the parking zones included in this provision are commercial loading, truck, restricted parking, bus, taxi, street construction and street maintenance. A zone must be properly signed for at least 24 hours in advance and give notice that illegally parked vehicles will be removed.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The striking amendment requires that a designated parking zone be properly signed for at least 24 hours in advance and include the consequence that a vehicle is removed if illegally parked in the zone.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: There is a loophole in current law that requires us to wait two full days to remove a vehicle that is illegally parked in a no parking zone. This additional time can be burdensome, and in cases where the vehicle is blocking a construction zone, can add significant costs and delays to a project.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Dan Swenson, Jeff Riback, City of Vancouver (pro).