Title: An act relating to vehicle sound system equipment.

Brief Description: Requiring vehicle sound system components to be securely attached.

Sponsors: By Representatives Dunshee, Pearson, Lovick, Kristiansen, Morrell, P. Sullivan, Murray, Wallace, Chase and Ormsby.

Brief History:

Transportation: 2/7/05, 2/10/05 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/8/05, 82-16.
Passed Senate: 4/5/05, 30-18.
Passed Legislature

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 21 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Wallace, Vice Chair; Woods, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell, Dickerson, Ericksen, Flannigan, Hankins, Hudgins, Jarrett, Kilmer, Lovick, Morris, Rodne, Sells, Simpson, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove and Wood.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Appleton, Buck, Curtis, Nixon, Schindler and Shabro.

Staff: Teresa Berntsen (786-7301).

Background:

It is increasingly popular for motor vehicle owners to install stereo speakers in the back seat of a car or in the bed of a passenger truck. Certain stereo speakers are manufactured only for residential use, rather than automotive use. These speakers, as well as unsecured automotive speakers, can become projectiles in the event of a vehicle collision.

There are no state laws or rules specifically prohibiting or restricting the placement of sound system components (such as stereo speakers) on or within a vehicle.

Summary of Engrossed Bill:

All vehicle sound system components must be securely attached to the vehicle so that they cannot become dislodged or loose during operation of the vehicle. Failure to do so is a traffic infraction.

Law enforcement officers may only issue tickets for this infraction as a secondary violation.

Requires the Traffic Safety Commission to create an education campaign regarding properly securing vehicle sound system components within their existing budget.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: This bill will save lives and help heal a community and a family.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Dunshee, prime sponsor; Carol Amisson; Gina McKinney; Sarah Meyer; Julia Baggenstos; Sarah Battien; Kyle Scott; and Brandon Schriber.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.