SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1465

BYHouse Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Meyers, Schmidt, Walk, Heavey, D. Sommers, Cooper, Jones and Betrozoff; by request of Legislative Transportation Committee)

Making technical corrections in driver and vehicle licensing laws.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Bender, Benitz, Hansen, McMullen, Madsen, Murray.

Senate Staff:Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

                  March 14, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 19, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Licensing is responsible for administering the motor vehicle and driver laws.  The Legislative Transportation Committee (LTC) requested the department to review its statutes for improvements in efficiency and streamlined service delivery.

The Department of Licensing recommended 74 different sections to the LTC for revision.  The Joint Subcommittee on Driver and Vehicles Programs of the Legislative Transportation Committee reviewed and recommended the changes to those statutes.

Current statute provides that the department shall revoke a person's driver's license if they refuse to take a breathalyzer test as required under the implied consent statutes. 

Currently filing fees collected by the Washington State Patrol are deposited in the motor vehicle fund.

SUMMARY:

Technical changes to gender references, outdated statutory references, terminology changes, and ambiguous language are made.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 22, 1990

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The proposed striking amendment makes the following changes:

In the case of a person charged with driving or being in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, the department shall reinstate a person's driving privilege upon notification from the court of record that a not guilty finding has been entered.  Additionally, the department shall expunge the implied consent violation from the driver's record.

It is clarified that a person shall yield when entering a roadway to any vehicle that is lawfully approaching on that roadway.

Filing fees collected by the Washington State Patrol from permits sold by the Washington State Patrol are to be deposited in the State Patrol highway account.

Retailers that sell inflatable devices do not have to register with the department as vessel dealers.

Senate Committee - Testified: No one