SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 2573

As of March 14, 2002

Title:  An act relating to traffic safety education funding.

Brief Description:  Funding traffic safety education.

Sponsors:  Representatives Schual‑Berke, Wood, Doumit, Hunt, Murray, Haigh, Kagi, Berkey, Sullivan, Fisher, Lovick, Jackley, Cooper, Simpson and McDermott.

Brief History:

Staff:  Dean Carlson (786‑7305)

Background:  Qualified applicants for a driver's instruction permit pay a $5 fee, which includes a photograph on the permit.  Those applicants who want a permit without a photograph pay a $4 fee.

Those persons who have not been previously licensed in Washington, or whose last Washington license expired more than five years previously, pay an examination fee of $7.

Money collected from these fees is deposited into the Highway Safety Fund (HSF).

Summary of Bill:  The fee for a driver's instruction permit with or without a photograph is raised from $5 to $15, plus an additional $15 fee is added. The first $15 fee is deposited into the highway safety fund and the additional $15 fee is added to the public safety and education account to fund traffic safety education in public schools.

The examination fee for a person who has not been previously licensed in Washington, or whose last Washington license expired more than five years ago, is raised from $7 to $10, plus an additional fee of $15 is added.  The first $10 fee is deposited into the highway safety fund and the additional $15 fee is added to the public safety and education account to fund traffic safety education in public schools.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Revenue projections available.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on July 1, 2002.