FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5061

                                  C 345 L 87

BYSenate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Halsan, Newhouse, Talmadge, Smitherman and Garrett; by request of Washington State Patrol)

Establishing failure to comply with traffic laws as a gross misdemeanor.

Senate Committee on Judiciary

House Committe on Transportation

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In 1984 and 1985, approximately 22 percent of the people who were issued notices of traffic infractions/citations failed to appear as they had promised.  The result is less effective enforcement of Washington laws and a loss of the revenue which would be derived from the fines.  Police officers are powerless to act when they encounter drivers with a record of failing to appear because often warrants of arrest have not been issued.  Out-of-state drivers who fail to appear or respond are usually not sanctioned by their state of record.

SUMMARY:

A police officer may arrest a driver for failure to comply if, after verifying the driving record with the Department of Licensing, the officer determines that the driver has two or more charges of failure to appear on his or her driving record.

A nonresident of Washington State who is issued a notice of traffic infraction or citation may be required to post either a bond, cash security in an amount equal to the infraction penalty or bail.  If the driver is not able to do so,  he or she will be taken to a judge or magistrate for a hearing at the earliest possible time.  This does not apply to residents of states that have a reciprocal agreement with Washington.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    45     0

      House 94   0 (House amended)

      Senate             (Senate refused to concur)

      House              (House refused to recede)

Free Conference Committee

      House 93   3

      Senate    46     0

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987