HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5937


This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:
April 6, 2007

Title: An act relating to the creation and distribution of funds for additional patrols along high-accident corridors.

Brief Description: Providing for additional patrols along high-accident corridors.

Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Swecker, Murray and Kauffman).

Brief History:

Transportation: 3/27/07, 3/28/07 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 4/6/07, 76-18.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Increases the fee for an abstract of driving record from $5 to $10.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 20 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Jarrett, Ranking Minority Member; Schindler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Campbell, Curtis, Dickerson, Eddy, Hailey, Hankins, Hudgins, Lovick, Rodne, Simpson, Springer, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Wallace and Wood.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Armstrong, Ericksen, Kristiansen and Rolfes.

Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).

Background:

Upon a proper request from an authorized requester, the Department of Licensing (DOL) provides a certified abstract of a person's driving record that is maintained by the DOL. The current fee for an abstract of driving record from DOL is $5. Revenue from the fee is deposited into the Highway Safety Account (Account). Appropriations from the Account fund the DOL's Driver's Services Division and related support costs.


Summary of Bill:

The fee for an abstract of driving record is increased from $5 to $10. Five dollars of the fee will continue to be deposited into the Highway Safety Fund and the $5 increase will be deposited into the State Patrol Highway Account. The $5 increase deposited to the State Patrol Highway Account may be used for enhanced State Patrol resources to address locations that have been identified as having higher than average collision rates.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on August 1, 2007.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The Washington State Patrol Account (WSP Account) has a revenue shortfall due to transfers to the Motor Vehicle Account and increased operating costs. This funding is needed to maintain a level of service that is expected and this is a great first step in fixing the revenue shortfall in the WSP Account. There is a direct tie between the abstract of driving records and what the Washington State Patrol enforces since the citations written and accidents are placed on a person's driving record.

(Opposed) The fee increase is a 100 percent increase on the insurance companies. The average fee increase in the United States being $8.13 with the lowest state fee at $1.50 and the highest fee being at $20.00. The insurance companies would recommend a fee closer to the average of $8.13. In the future, the insurance companies would probably purchase fewer abstract of driving records for assessing risks for drivers they insure due to the price increase to $10. In some cases the insurance companies may pass the $5 increase along to the persons they insure.

Persons Testifying:

(In support) Rick Jensen, Washington State Patrol Trooper's Association; and Chief John Batiste and Jeff DeVere, Washington State Patrol.

(Opposed) Mel Sorensen, Property Casualty Insurance, Allstate Insurance Company and American Family Insurance; Carrie Tellefson, Progressive Insurance; Mike Kapphahn, Farmers Insurance Group; and Jean Leonard, Washington Insurers and State Farm Insurance.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.