HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2400

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:

February 13, 2012

Title: An act relating to cost savings and efficiencies in mailing notices of revocation to habitual traffic offenders.

Brief Description: Regarding cost savings and efficiencies in mailing notices of revocation to habitual traffic offenders.

Sponsors: Representatives Hunt, Hudgins, Upthegrove, Ormsby, Green, Miloscia and Moscoso.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government & Tribal Affairs: 1/19/12, 1/26/12 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/13/12, 65-33.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes the Department of Licensing to utilize first-class mail, rather than certified mail, to notify a habitual traffic offender of his or her license revocation.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Hunt, Chair; Appleton, Vice Chair; Darneille, Dunshee, Hurst, McCoy and Miloscia.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Taylor, Ranking Minority Member; Overstreet, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander and Condotta.

Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).

Background:

The Washington Habitual Traffic Offenders Act sets forth a statutory scheme for identifying those persons committing traffic offenses who meet the definition of habitual offender. Statute identifies a series of specified, serious traffic offenses that trigger the habitual offender categorization, due either to the seriousness of the offense or the number and/or frequency of specified offenses.

A person meeting the definition of habitual offender is subject to the revocation of his or her driver's license. The Department of Licensing (DOL) is required to notify a habitual offender of such license revocation by certified mail.

Summary of Bill:

The DOL is authorized to utilize first-class mail, rather than certified mail, to notify a habitual traffic offender of his or her license revocation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) None.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.