SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6326

As Passed Senate, February 16, 2004

Title: An act relating to unlawful bus conduct.

Brief Description: Defining prohibited bus conduct.

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

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Judiciary: 1/29/04, 1/30/04 [DP].

Passed Senate: 2/16/04, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Esser, Vice Chair; Brandland, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Kline and Roach.

Staff: Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background: It is a misdemeanor while in a municipal transit vehicle or municipal transit station to: discard litter except in a receptacle; play sound producing equipment without headphones; spit or expectorate; carry flammable liquid, explosives, acid, or other material likely to cause harm; intentionally impede the flow of transit vehicles; intentionally disturb others; destroy or deface property; or smoke on a municipal transit vehicle. Misdemeanors are punishable by 0-90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. "Municipal transit station" and "municipal transit vehicle" are defined. Their definitions 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. The unlawful bus conduct offenses apply to persons in facilities or vehicles operated by regional transit authorities.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This change is needed because the regional transit authority did not exist when the original crime was created.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Senator Esser, prime sponsor.