HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1615

As Reported by House Committee On:

Transportation

Title: An act relating to vehicle sound system equipment.

Brief Description: Requiring vehicle sound system components to be securely attached.

Sponsors: Representatives Dunshee, Pearson, Lovick, Kristiansen, Berkey, Sullivan and Wood.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 2/28/03 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Simpson, Vice Chair; Ericksen, Ranking Minority Member; Jarrett, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Clibborn, Cooper, Dickerson, Flannigan, Hankins, Hatfield, Hudgins, Kristiansen, Lovick, Morris, Nixon, Romero, Shabro, Sullivan, Wallace and Wood.

Staff: Jeff Doyle (786-7322).

Background:

It is increasingly popular for motor vehicle owners to wire or install stereo speakers in the back seat of a car or in the bed of a passenger truck. Certain stereo speakers are manufactured only for residential use, rather than automotive use. These ill-adapted speakers pose a safety risk when installed in a motor vehicle, as they can become dangerous projectiles in the event of a collision.

There are no state laws specifically prohibiting or restricting the placement of sound system components (such as stereo speakers) on or within a vehicle, nor are there specific rules or regulations in the Washington Administrative Code that prohibit or restrict the placement of such equipment.

Summary of Bill:

All vehicle sound system components must be securely attached to the vehicle so that they cannot become dislodged or loose during operation of the vehicle. Failure to do so is a traffic infraction.

Law enforcement officers may only issue tickets for this infraction as a secondary violation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: If enacted, this law could help save lives.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Representative Dunshee, prime sponsor; Ron Amisson; Carol Amisson; Missy Waldron; Nathan Rengen; Michelle Voge; and Patricia Dalby.