HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1225
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:
March 4, 2013
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, Reykdal, Morrell and Ryu.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Public Safety: 1/31/13, 2/7/13 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/4/13, 98-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Goodman, Chair; Roberts, Vice Chair; Klippert, Ranking Minority Member; Hayes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Holy, Hope, Moscoso, Pettigrew, Ross and Takko.
Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).
Background:
A habitual traffic offender is a person who, within a five-year period, has accumulated convictions or findings of committing:
three or more traffic infractions that include Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Assault, Driving or Operating a Motor Vehicle while under the Influence of Intoxicants or Drugs, Driving a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended or Revoked permit or driver's license, Reckless Driving, Being in Physical Control of a Motor Vehicle while under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drugs, Attempting to Elude a police vehicle; or
20 or more moving violations.
A person meeting the definition of a 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.
It costs approximately $3.56 to send a piece of certified mail and 46 cents to send mail using first-class postage via the United States Postal Service.
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) This is an issue not only for the DOL, but also for the Department of Health and the Department of Social and Health Services. This bill is a cost savings measure. These offenders are habitual offenders that have already been convicted, and they have been forewarned that their license is going to be suspended. This is just the formal notice. It should not be up to the government to go on a hunt to find these offenders.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Hunt, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.