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 Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
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: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Swecker, Murray and Kauffman).
Brief History:
Transportation: 3/27/07, 3/28/07 [DP].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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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.