HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 279

BYRepresentatives Gallagher, Doty, Walk, Schmidt and P. King; by request of  Department of Licensing

Extending the time required for filing a security deposit under the financial responsibility provisions of the motor vehicle code.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:     Do pass.  (24)

     Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Cantwell, Cooper, Dellwo, Doty, Fisch, Fisher, Gallagher, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Kremen, Meyers, Patrick, Prince, Schmidt, C. Smith, D. Sommers, Spanel, Vekich, J. Williams, K. Wilson, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Terry Michalson (786-7315)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 16, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Drivers or owners of vehicles subject to the registration laws of the state which have been involved in an accident within the state which has resulted in personal injury or death, or property damage of three hundred dollars or more may be required to file a deposit of security.  The deposit of security is in an amount determined by the Department of Licensing to cover damages and injuries resulting from the accident.  The security may be in the form of a bond or policy issued by an insurance company or surety company authorized to do business in Washington.

If the requested security is not deposited within ten days of the sending of the notice, the department shall suspend the driver's licenses of each driver involved in the accident who fail to file a requested security deposit, the owner of each vehicle registered in the state who fails to file a requested security deposit, and any nonresident driving privileges to an out-of-state license driver who fails to file a requested security deposit.

SUMMARY:

The allowable time for filing security with the Department of Licensing following an accident is extended to sixty days from the date notice was mailed by the department.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):  The allowable time for filing security with the Department of Licensing after an accident is 30 days.

Fiscal Note:    Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Don Bonner, Department of Licensing.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     Extending the time period for filing proof of financial responsibility from ten days to sixty days provides a more reasonable time frame for an individual to acquire required security.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Yeas 95; Absent 2; Excused 1

Absent:    Representatives Grimm and Wineberry

Excused:   Representative Grant