SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 6217
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 Senate, February 11, 2010
Title: An act relating to retroactively applying certain intermediate license law amendments made during the 2009 legislative session.
Brief Description: Retroactively applying certain intermediate license law amendments made during the 2009 legislative session.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Rockefeller).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/13/10, 1/18/10 [DPS].
Passed Senate: 2/11/10, 47-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6217 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Marr, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Becker, Benton, Berkey, Delvin, Eide, Hatfield, Jacobsen, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer, King, Ranker and Sheldon.
Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)
Background: Under current law, intermediate drivers license (IDL) holders have several restrictions placed upon them:
During the first six months of holding the IDL (or until they are 18, whichever is first), IDL holders may not drive a vehicle carrying any passengers under the age of 20 unless those passengers are immediate family members.
After the initial six-month period, IDL holders may not drive any vehicle carrying more than three people under age 20.
During the first 12 months of holding the IDL, IDL holders may not drive between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed driver who is at least 25 years old.
Prior to the enactment of Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5469, which was passed in the 2009 Legislative Session, after 12 months of holding the IDL, the above restrictions were lifted if the ID holder:
did not violate any of the above restrictions;
was not found to have committed a traffic offense; and
was not involved in an auto accident.
In 2009 these statutes were amended so that being in an accident is no longer grounds for denying lifting the restrictions if there is another party to the accident and the other party was cited in connection with the accident.
Summary of Substitute Bill: The IDL statute revisions made in 2009, via SSB 5469, are retroactive to two years prior to the effective date of this bill.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Legislature wisely chose to lift the IDL restrictions for those who were in accidents through no fault of their own. Out of fairness this legislation should be applied retroactively because some of those under the age of 18 are still unfairly affected.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Rockefeller, prime sponsor; Christina Law, citizen.