Title: An act relating to enhancing school bus driver safety.

Brief Description: Enhancing school bus driver safety.

Sponsors: Representatives McCune, Ahern, Kretz, Pearson, Roach and Kenney.

Brief History:

Transportation: 3/1/07, 3/2/07 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 17 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Flannigan, Vice Chair; Jarrett, Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Campbell, Eddy, Ericksen, Hailey, Hankins, Kristiansen, Lovick, Rodne, Rolfes, Springer, B. Sullivan, Upthegrove and Wallace.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Appleton, Hudgins, Sells, Simpson and Wood.

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) must provide, upon proper request, certified copies of driving records to:

• the driver;
• insurance companies;
• the driver's current or prospective employer or agent;
• employees or agents of a transit authority checking volunteer vanpool drivers;
• volunteer organizations for which an individual has submitted an application for a position that would require the transportation of children under 18 years of age, adults over 65 years of age, or persons with disabilities;
• city and county prosecuting attorneys; and
• certain others.

Release of the certified abstract of an employee, prospective employee, or prospective volunteer requires statements signed by the individual and by the employer or volunteer organization.

The DOL Director is required to collect a fee of $5 for each abstract with the funds to be deposited in the Highway Safety Account.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) is required to provide a school district with an abstract of the full driving record for a current or prospective school bus driver free of charge. The DOL is also required to notify school districts if a school bus driver has had a driver's license or commercial driver's license suspended or revoked.

In keeping with the requirements of RCW 44.04.280 regarding the use of respectful language, a number of references are modified to utilize appropriate language.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on March 1, 2007.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and is effective immediately.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) There are approximately 10,000 school bus drivers in Washington who transport about 450,000 students every school day. The parents of these children need to know that their kids are being transported safely. Currently, drivers are moving to another school district after being fired and driving there instead. This bill would allow that sort of activity to be uncovered.

The immediate notification requirements and the fact that the abstracts are provided free of charge to the school districts are both important aspects of the bill.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative McCune, prime sponsor; and Mitch Denning, Alliance of Education Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.