SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 277

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

Extending the time permitted for providing the department of licensing proof of financial responsibility.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 24, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Peterson, Chairman; Hansen, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Barr, Bender, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Johnson, Nelson, Patterson, Sellar.

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

                  March 25, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 24, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Drivers or owners of vehicles who have been convicted of or forfeited bail for certain offenses under the motor vehicle laws, or have failed to pay judgments, or have been involved in accidents resulting in bodily injury or death, or property damage of three hundred dollars or more to any one person, may be subject to filing proof of financial responsibility as well as a deposit of security.

Proof of financial responsibility is the ability to pay damages for liability for accidents which might occur after the date of the proof.  The amount of financial responsibility required by the Department is dependent upon injuries or damage suffered in any one accident.  The amount for a bodily injury or one death in an accident is twenty-five thousand dollars.  An accident with two or more deaths requires a fifty thousand dollar amount.  Injury to or destruction of property requires a ten thousand dollar amount.

The proof may be in the form of a certificate of insurance, a bond, a certificate of deposit of funds, or a certificate of self-insurance from a driver or owner meeting the criteria for a self-insurer.

Driver licenses or nonresident driving privileges shall be suspended, remain suspended or revoked unless proof of financial responsibility is provided to the Department within ten days of notification to the driver.

The Department has indicated that there is a conflict between two sections of the RCW regarding the established time limits for a person to file proof of financial responsibility after receiving notification.  The Department is currently utilizing the time frame set forth in RCW 46.29.070 and is requesting that RCW 46.29.110 be brought into conformity.

SUMMARY:

The allowable time for filing proof of financial responsibility is extended from ten to sixty days from the sending of the notice by the Department of Licensing.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Wayne Roice, Department of Licensing