HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1269

As Passed House:

March 13, 2001

Title:  An act relating to hardship waivers for vehicle owners in cases of suspended license vehicle impounds.

Brief Description:  Authorizing additional hardship waivers for vehicle owners in cases of suspended license vehicle impounds.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Bush and Campbell.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation:  2/21/01, 2/26/01 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/13/01, 89-5.

Brief Summary of Bill

$An exemption from the impound law is provided for the registered owner of a vehicle if the impound has caused economic or personal hardship; the owner was not the driver of the vehicle when it was impounded; and the owner has not received a prior hardship release.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Fisher, Democratic Co‑Chair; Mitchell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cooper, Democratic Vice Chair; Ericksen, Republican Vice Chair; Lovick, Democratic Vice Chair; Ahern, Armstrong, G. Chandler, Edmonds, Haigh, Hurst, Jackley, Jarrett, Marine, Mielke, Morell, Murray, Ogden, Reardon, Rockefeller, Romero, Schindler, Simpson, Sump and Woods.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Hankins, Republican Vice Chair; Anderson, Hatfield and Wood.

Staff:  Penny Nerup (786‑7335).

Background:

A vehicle driven by a person whose license is suspended can be impounded.  Under current law, if there is economic or personal hardship to the spouse of the suspended driver, an agency can issue a written order to release the vehicle to the spouse after taking into consideration public safety factors, like the driver=s criminal history and driving record.  There is no provision in the current law for a hardship exemption for anyone other than the spouse.

Summary of Bill:

The registered owner of a vehicle that has been impounded while being driven by a suspended driver can obtain an order to release the vehicle if 1) there is economic or personal hardship to the owner; 2) the owner was not the driver of the vehicle when it was impounded; and 3) the owner has not received a prior hardship release.

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:  None.