BILL REQ. #:  H-4106.2 

Read first time 01/26/2004.   Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to the enforcement of traffic laws; adding a new section to chapter 46.64 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 46.64 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) No law enforcement officer shall be required to do any of the following:
     (a) Issue a specific number of citations, notices of infraction, or warning notices during any specified time period for violations of traffic regulations;
     (b) Stop a specific number of persons or vehicles during any specified time period for the purpose of preventing or detecting violations of traffic regulations;
     (c) Make a specific number of arrests during any specified time period for traffic laws under chapter 46.61 RCW.
     (2) The number of citations, notices of infraction, or warning notices issued by a law enforcement officer for violations of traffic regulations and the number of traffic stops and arrests made by a law enforcement officer for violations of traffic laws under chapter 46.61 RCW shall not be given greater consideration than any other factor that is used in deciding the law enforcement officer's job assignment or promotion or in evaluating the performance of the law enforcement officer.
     (3) This section shall not be construed as superseding the duty of a law enforcement officer to maintain public order, keep and preserve the peace, protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and enforce the laws of the state of Washington.
     (4) "Law enforcement officer" has the same meaning as "peace officer" given in RCW 43.101.010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.