Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 1473

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.

Brief Description: Concerning the use of existing fees collected for the cost of traffic schools.

Sponsors: Representatives Parker, Hurst, Ormsby and Billig.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Allows fees collected for attending a traffic school provided by a city, town, or county that are in excess of the cost of providing the traffic school to be used for safe driving materials and programs, safe driving promotions and advertising, and law enforcement training.

  • Limits the fee charged for traffic schools to the amount of the penalty for an unscheduled traffic infraction.

Hearing Date: 2/16/11

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

In Washington, individuals may defer one moving and one non-moving violation every seven years. As a condition of this deferral, courts may impose such conditions as the court feels appropriate, which often includes attendance at a driver improvement school or traffic school. If the individual meets all of the required conditions and has not committed another infraction, the court may dismiss the infraction at the end of the deferral period.

With certain limited exceptions, the Washington Supreme Court prescribes the schedule of monetary penalties for traffic infractions. Infraction rule for courts of limited jurisdictions 6.2 contains this schedule of monetary penalties, and prescribes a penalty of $42 for unscheduled infractions.

Summary of Bill:

The fees collected for attending a traffic school provided by a city, town, or county that are in excess of the cost of providing the traffic school may be used for the following activities:

A traffic school established by a city, town, or county may not charge a fee in excess of the penalty for an unscheduled traffic infraction established by the Washington Supreme Court.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.