HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2741
As Reported by House Committee On:
Juvenile Justice & Family Law
Title: An act relating to the revocation of juvenile driving privileges.
Brief Description: Revising driving privileges for juveniles convicted of motor vehicle felonies.
Sponsors: Representatives Nixon, Bush, DeBolt, Morell, Crouse, Esser, Van Luven, Schmidt, Delvin, Pflug, Casada, Roach, Schoesler, Anderson, Benson and Pearson.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Juvenile Justice & Family Law: 2/6/02, 2/7/02 [DPS].
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Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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$Adds a conviction of motor vehicle theft in the first degree to the offenses for which the revocation of a juvenile's license is mandatory.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUVENILE JUSTICE & FAMILY LAW
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Dickerson, Chair; Darneille, Vice Chair; Delvin, Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Carrell and Tokuda.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Eickmeyer.
Staff: Tracey Taylor (786‑7196).
Background:
The Department of Licensing (DOL) may suspend or revoke a person's driving privilege for a number of reasons, including specific criminal convictions such as DUI, Reckless Driving and Hit and Run Attended, and for refusing to submit to an alcohol test as required by the implied consent laws.
The DOL may suspend or revoke a juvenile's driving privilege if the juvenile is convicted of:
$ any offense committed while armed with a firearm;
$ any offense regarding the purchase, possession or consumption of alcohol;
$ any violation of the legend drug laws;
$ any violation of the controlled substance laws; or
$ any violation of the imitation controlled substance laws.
The first license revocation is one year or until the juvenile reaches age 17, whichever is longer. The second or subsequent revocation is two years or until the juvenile reaches age 18, whichever is longer. All revocations are consecutive. A juvenile may petition the juvenile court for reinstatement at an earlier date, but the decision to grant reinstatement is within the court's discretion.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
A juvenile convicted of motor vehicle theft in the first degree shall have his or her driver's license revoked. If it is the juvenile's first revocation, the period of revocation shall be for one year or until the juvenile reaches age 17, whichever is longer. If it is the second or subsequent revocation, the period of revocation shall be for two years or until the juvenile reaches age 18, whichever is longer.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The original bill revoked driving privileges for a conviction of motor vehicle theft in the first or second degree, or for taking a motor vehicle without permission. The substitute bill revokes driving privileges only for motor vehicle theft in the first degree.
The original bill revoked a juvenile's driving privileges for a second or subsequent conviction for three years or up to age 21, whichever is longer. The substitute bill revokes a juvenile's driving privileges for a second or subsequent conviction for two years or up to age 18, whichever is longer.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not Requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The citizens of Washington are more likely to be victims of car theft than any other felony. Over the past 10 years, property crimes have decreased, except for motor vehicle theft which has increased 60 percent. In fact, over 100 cars per day are stolen. Because the detention halls and jails are crowded, the offenders do not get sufficient jail time to be deterred. For a teenager, obtaining a driver's license is an important rite of passage. Revoking a driver's license is a fiscally neutral way to provide an additional deterrent to teens who may be tempted to steal a car.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Representative Nixon, prime sponsor.