SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5137

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Law & Justice, March 5, 1997

Title:  An act relating to vehicular assault.

Brief Description:  Raising the penalty for vehicular assault.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Fairley, Fraser, Kohl, Snyder, Prentice and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  3/5/97 [DP-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Hargrove, Kline, McCaslin, Stevens and Zarelli.

Staff:  Martin Lovinger (786-7443)

Background:  Vehicular assault is a class B felony with a seriousness score on the sentencing grid of IV and a standard sentencing range of three to nine months for a first offense.  A seriousness score of V has a first offender standard sentencing range of six to 12 months.

Vehicular assault involves reckless or drunk driving that causes serious bodily injury to another person.  Serious bodily injury is defined as involving a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or the protracted loss or impairment of the function of part of the body.

It is felt that the penalty for causing such harm to the victims of vehicular assault needs to be increased.

Summary of Bill:  The crime of vehicular assault is given a seriousness score of V.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.