FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1790

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.

Background:

City, towns, and counties may establish traffic schools that instruct, educate, and inform all attendees of such a school in the proper, lawful, and safe operation of motor vehicles. These traffic schools are under the control and supervision of the board of county commissioners and are conducted with the assistance of law enforcement. A court handling traffic cases may, as part of any sentence or as a condition of deferral, order any person so convicted to attend a traffic school. It is a traffic infraction if a person fails to attend a traffic school as mandated by a court.

Traffic schools may charge a fee to those who attend the school. This fee, however, may not exceed the penalty for an unscheduled traffic infraction, as set by the Washington Supreme Court, including any assessments and other costs required by statute or rule. If a school charges a fee that is greater than the cost, the city, town, or county may use the excess amount for certain purposes. Primarily, the surplus amount may be used for safe driver education materials, programs, promotions, or advertising. Any surplus amount may also be used for costs associated with the training of law enforcement officers.

Summary:

Fees collected by traffic schools that are in excess of the cost may be used only for safe driver education materials, programs, promotions, or advertising. Revenue generated by these fees may also be used for costs associated with the training of law enforcement officers. The fees are not subject to indirect costs, and may not be used to supplement any other costs of a city, town, or county.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	97	0
Senate	48	0