SENATE BILL REPORT
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. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Transportation, March 29, 2011
Title: An act relating to the use of existing fees collected for the cost of traffic schools.
Brief Description: Concerning the use of existing fees collected for the cost of traffic schools.
Sponsors: Representatives Parker, Hurst, Ormsby and Billig.
Brief History: Passed House: 3/05/11, 98-0.
Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/28/11, 3/29/11 [DPA].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; White, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Minority Member; Fain, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Ericksen, Hill, Hobbs, Nelson, Prentice, Ranker, Shin and Swecker.
Staff: Katherine Taylor (786-7434)
Background: Any city or town and the county in which it is located are authorized, as may be agreed to between the respective governing bodies of the city or town and county, to establish a traffic school.
The purpose of every traffic school is to instruct, educate, and inform all persons appearing for training in the proper, lawful, and safe operation of motor vehicles, including but not limited to rules of the road and the limitations of persons, vehicles, and bicycles on roads, streets, and highways under varying conditions and circumstances.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): 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:
safe driver education materials and programs;
safe driver education promotions and advertising; and
costs associated with the training of law enforcement officers.
A city, town, or county is not authorized to increase or impose new fees for traffic schools solely for the uses listed above.
A traffic school established by a city, town, or county that collects fees for the cost of attending the traffic school may not charge a fee in excess of the penalty for an unscheduled traffic infraction established by the Supreme Court.
The term penalty and the assessments and costs associated with an unscheduled traffic infraction penalty are clarified.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): The term penalty and the assessments and costs associated with an unscheduled traffic infraction penalty are clarified.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: More funding for training police officers gets more police officers on the streets and frees up other police officers.
OTHER: The way the bill is currently worded, it may force traffic schools to charge less for their courses.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Don Pierce, WA Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
OTHER: Doug Levy, City of Kent.