SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2575

BYRepresentatives McLean, R. Meyers, Ballard and Silver

Regarding nonappearance by occupant of motor vehicle.

House Committe on Judiciary

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1990

Senate Staff:Richard Rodger (786-7461)

AS OF FEBRUARY 20, 1990

BACKGROUND:

When a driver is issued a notice of a traffic infraction, or a citation for a criminal traffic offense, he or she must sign a promise to respond to the notice.  Responding to a notice or citation means paying a fine or appearing in court at a hearing.

If a person who has signed a promise to respond or appear fails to do so, he or she is guilty of a misdemeanor.  Failure to respond or appear is a misdemeanor.

Driving a vehicle while having accumulated two or more failures to respond or appear is called failure to comply.  Failure to comply is a gross misdemeanor.

SUMMARY:

The gross misdemeanor crime of failure to comply is extended to cover persons with two or more failures to respond or appear who occupy a motor vehicle, whether or not they are operating the vehicle.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested