SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1195

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Transportation, February 25, 1998

Title:  An act relating to proof of financial responsibility for motor vehicle operation.

Brief Description:  Requiring proof of auto insurance to drivers' license examiners.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Transportation Policy & Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Robertson, Schoesler, Dunshee, Sterk, Scott, K. Schmidt, Buck, Smith, Delvin, Hickel, Carlson, Hatfield, DeBolt, Dunn and Mulliken).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  3/27/97; 2/18/98, 2/25/98 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prince, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Goings, Haugen, Heavey, Horn, Jacobsen, Oke, Patterson, Prentice and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Paul Neal (786-7315)

Background:  RCW 46.30.020 provides that no person may operate a motor vehicle unless insured under a motor vehicle liability policy, self-insured, covered by a certificate of deposit, or covered by a liability bond.

Currently, written proof of financial responsibility, in the form of an insurance identification card, must be provided at the request of a law enforcement officer. Failure to display an insurance identification card creates a presumption that the person does not have motor vehicle insurance and is a traffic infraction.  Providing false evidence of financial responsibility is a misdemeanor.

Prior to the road test portion of a driver's license examination, the Department of Licensing requires applicants to sign an affidavit attesting that they meet the financial responsibility requirements of RCW 46.30.020.

Summary of Bill:  Written proof of financial responsibility for motor vehicle operation must be provided upon request of a licensing service representative in the course of his or her official duties.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This bill provides needed safety for Department of Licensing employees who administer the driving portion of the driver=s test.  The current practice of requiring persons wishing to take the test to sign an affidavit that they have insurance does not provide sufficient protection.  Empowering the licensing service representatives to require production of proof of insurance will ensure that they are protected in the event they are injured should an automobile accident occur while they are administering a driving test.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Robertson, prime sponsor; Judy Giniger, DOL; Don Briscoe, Annette Rouse, IFPTE Local 17.