SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 2429

BYRepresentatives R. Meyers and Scott

Establishing penalties for attempts by vessel operators to elude pursuing law enforcement vessels.

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Amondson, Vice Chairman; Benitz, Kreidler, Owen, Patterson, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  February 20, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 19, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Certain acts by operators of motor vehicles are declared unlawful.  One such act is attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle.  If a driver is given a signal to stop by a uniformed officer, the driver must stop his or her vehicle.  Failure to stop can result in prosecution for a gross misdemeanor which is punishable by not more than one year in the county jail or a maximum fine of $5,000 or both.  If the driver fails to stop and operates the vehicle in a reckless manner, the driver can be prosecuted for a class C felony.  Class C felonies are punishable by a maximum of five years in prison or a fine of $10,000 or both.

No similar prohibition exists for vessel operators that fail to stop when directed to do so by a law enforcement officer.

SUMMARY:

A vessel operator who fails to stop when directed to do so by a law enforcement officer is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.  A vessel operator who fails to stop when signaled to do so and operates the vessel in a reckless manner in attempting to elude law enforcement personnel is guilty of a class C felony.

The officer can give the signal to stop by hand, voice, or emergency light or siren.  The officer and the vessel must be appropriately marked as official law enforcement.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Ed Manary, Dept. of Fisheries (pro)