HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1220

                       As Passed House

                      January 24, 1994

Title:  An act relating to revoking drivers' licenses.

Brief Description:  Revoking drivers' licenses for certain felonies.

Sponsors:  Representatives Chappell, Brumsickle, Campbell, Mastin, Ludwig, H. Myers, Johanson, Riley, Romero, Karahalios, Jones, Padden, Roland, Long, L. Johnson and Flemming.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, March 2, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, March 10, 1993, 96-1;

  Passed House, January 24, 1994, 91-1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 17 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Chappell; Forner; Johanson; Locke; Long; Mastin; H. Myers; Riley; Schmidt; Scott; Tate; and Wineberry.

Staff:  Margaret Allen (786-7191).

Background:  The Department of Licensing must revoke the driver's license of a person convicted of a felony in which a motor vehicle was used, regardless of whether the vehicle was necessary for the commission of the crime.

The revocation is for one year.

Incidents have been reported of persons with revoked licenses being unable to maintain employment due to a lack of transportation.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Licensing must revoke the driver's license of a person convicted of a felony, if a motor vehicle served an integral function in the commission of the felony.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The current statutory language, "motor vehicle is used," is ambiguous.  Courts spend an inordinate amount of time trying to decide whether the statute applies to a defendant.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Nelson E. Hunt, Lewis County Prosecutor's Office.