BILL REQ. #:  H-2559.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/07/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to funding driver's education; amending RCW 28A.220.040; adding a new section to chapter 46.16 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:
     Beginning with vehicle registrations that are due or become due July 1, 2005, and thereafter, at the time of initial vehicle registration or upon periodic replacement of license plates under RCW 46.16.233, the registered owner shall pay and the department shall collect an additional fee of three dollars for each license plate issued, to assist in funding traffic safety education. The department shall transmit the fee to the state treasurer for deposit into the public safety and education account. The amount so deposited may be used only for reducing the cost of traffic safety education courses under chapter 28A.220 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The office of the superintendent of public instruction will report by July 1, 2006, to the transportation committees of the legislature regarding the expenditure of the funds collected through the fee created in section 1 of this act. The report will include, but not be limited to, information regarding: (1) The number of students in each school district that applied for scholarships to driver training schools licensed under chapter 46.82 RCW, (2) the number of students in each school district that received scholarships to driver training schools licensed under chapter 46.82 RCW, (3) the dollar amount of the scholarship offered in each school district, (4) the percentage of students in each school district that enrolled in a school district-provided traffic safety education course, and (5) the number of students that enrolled in driver training schools licensed under chapter 46.82 RCW.

Sec. 3   RCW 28A.220.040 and 2000 c 115 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Each school district shall be reimbursed from funds appropriated for traffic safety education.
     (((a))) (2) The state superintendent shall determine the per-pupil reimbursement amount for the traffic safety education course to be funded by the state. The superintendent shall deduct an amount not more than five percent of the fees collected under section 1 of this act for administrative expenses incurred in determining the allocation of those funds. Each school district offering an approved standard traffic safety education course shall be reimbursed ((or granted)) an amount up to the level established by the superintendent of public instruction as may be appropriated. Each school district will offer to students the option of either enrolling in a school district-provided traffic safety education course or receiving a scholarship of an equivalent amount to enroll in any drivers' school licensed under chapter 46.82 RCW, based on available funds received under section 1 of this act.
     (((b))) (3) The state superintendent may provide per-pupil reimbursements to school districts only where all the traffic educators have satisfied the continuing education requirement of RCW 28A.220.030(4).
     (((2))) (4) The board of directors of any school district or combination of school districts may establish a traffic safety education fee, which fee when imposed shall be required to be paid by any duly enrolled student in any such school district prior to or while enrolled in a traffic safety education course. In accordance with funding received under section 1 of this act, the board shall set a reduced fee for students qualified to receive school lunches on a reduced-cost or free basis. Traffic safety education fees collected by a school district shall be deposited with the county treasurer to the credit of such school district, to be used to pay costs of the traffic safety education course.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2005.