BILL REQ. #:  S-4638.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/06/04.   

     AN ACT Relating to driver's licenses; amending RCW 46.63.110 and 46.64.025; and reenacting and amending RCW 46.20.391.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 46.20.391 and 1999 c 274 s 4 and 1999 c 272 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) Any person licensed under this chapter who is convicted of an offense relating to motor vehicles for which suspension or revocation of the driver's license is mandatory, other than vehicular homicide or vehicular assault, or who has had his or her license suspended under RCW 46.20.3101 (2)(a) or (3)(a), may submit to the department an application for an occupational driver's license. The department, upon receipt of the prescribed fee and upon determining that the petitioner is engaged in an occupation or trade that makes it essential that the petitioner operate a motor vehicle, may issue an occupational driver's license and may set definite restrictions as provided in RCW 46.20.394. No person may petition for, and the department shall not issue, an occupational driver's license that is effective during the first thirty days of any suspension or revocation imposed either for a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 or under RCW 46.20.3101 (2)(a) or (3)(a), or for both a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 and under RCW 46.20.3101 (2)(a) or (3)(a) where the action arises from the same incident. A person aggrieved by the decision of the department on the application for an occupational driver's license may request a hearing as provided by rule of the department.
     (2)(a) A person licensed under this chapter whose driver's license is suspended administratively due to failure to appear or pay a traffic ticket under RCW 46.20.289; a violation of the financial responsibility laws under chapter 46.29 RCW; or for multiple violations within a specified period of time under RCW 46.20.291, may apply to the department for an occupational driver's license if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that one of the following additional conditions are met:
     (i) The applicant is in an apprenticeship program or ((an on-the-job training program for which)) is gainfully employed and a driver's license is required;
     (ii) The applicant presents evidence that he or she has applied for a position in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program and the program has certified that a driver's license is required to begin the program, provided that a license granted under this provision shall be in effect no longer than fourteen days;
     (iii) The applicant is in a program that assists persons who are enrolled in a WorkFirst program pursuant to chapter 74.08A RCW to become gainfully employed and the program requires a driver's license; or
     (iv) The applicant is undergoing substance abuse treatment or is participating in meetings of a twelve-step group such as alcoholics anonymous.
     (b) If the suspension is for failure to respond, pay, or comply with a notice of traffic infraction or conviction, the applicant must enter into a payment plan with the court unless such a plan is not available.
     (c) An occupational driver's license issued to an applicant described in (a) of this subsection shall be valid for the period of the suspension or revocation but not more than two years. The suspension or revocation of the regular driver's license shall not be affected by the issuance of an occupational license.
     (d) Upon receipt of evidence that a holder of an occupational driver's license granted under this subsection is no longer enrolled in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program, or is no longer gainfully employed, the director shall give written notice by first class mail to the driver that the occupational driver's license shall be canceled. The effective date of cancellation shall be fifteen days from the date of mailing the notice. If at any time before the cancellation goes into effect the driver submits evidence of continued enrollment in the program or continued employment, the cancellation shall be stayed. If the cancellation becomes effective, the driver may obtain, at no additional charge, a new occupational driver's license upon submittal of evidence of enrollment in another program or gainful employment that meets the criteria set forth in this subsection.
     (e) The department shall not issue an occupational driver's license under (a)(iv) of this subsection if the applicant is able to receive transit services sufficient to allow for the applicant's participation in the programs referenced under (a)(iv) of this subsection.
     (3) An applicant for an occupational driver's license is eligible to receive such license only if:
     (a) Within one year immediately preceding the date of the offense that gave rise to the present conviction, the applicant has not committed any offense relating to motor vehicles for which suspension or revocation of a driver's license is mandatory; and
     (b) Within seven years immediately preceding the date of the offense that gave rise to the present conviction or incident, the applicant has not committed any of the following offenses: (i) Driving or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor; (ii) vehicular homicide under RCW 46.61.520; or (iii) vehicular assault under RCW 46.61.522; and
     (c) The applicant is engaged in an occupation or trade that makes it essential that he or she operate a motor vehicle, except as allowed under subsection (2)(a) of this section; and
     (d) The applicant files satisfactory proof of financial responsibility under chapter 46.29 RCW.
     (4) The director shall cancel an occupational driver's license upon receipt of notice that the holder thereof has been convicted of operating a motor vehicle in violation of its restrictions, or of a separate offense that under chapter 46.20 RCW would warrant suspension or revocation of a regular driver's license. The cancellation is effective as of the date of the conviction, and continues with the same force and effect as any suspension or revocation under this title.

Sec. 2   RCW 46.63.110 and 2003 c 380 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A person found to have committed a traffic infraction shall be assessed a monetary penalty. No penalty may exceed two hundred and fifty dollars for each offense unless authorized by this chapter or title.
     (2) The monetary penalty for a violation of RCW 46.55.105(2) is two hundred fifty dollars for each offense. No penalty assessed under this subsection (2) may be reduced.
     (3) The supreme court shall prescribe by rule a schedule of monetary penalties for designated traffic infractions. This rule shall also specify the conditions under which local courts may exercise discretion in assessing fines and penalties for traffic infractions. The legislature respectfully requests the supreme court to adjust this schedule every two years for inflation.
     (4) There shall be a penalty of twenty-five dollars for failure to respond to a notice of traffic infraction except where the infraction relates to parking as defined by local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution or failure to pay a monetary penalty imposed pursuant to this chapter. A local legislative body may set a monetary penalty not to exceed twenty-five dollars for failure to respond to a notice of traffic infraction relating to parking as defined by local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution. The local court, whether a municipal, police, or district court, shall impose the monetary penalty set by the local legislative body.
     (5) Monetary penalties provided for in chapter 46.70 RCW which are civil in nature and penalties which may be assessed for violations of chapter 46.44 RCW relating to size, weight, and load of motor vehicles are not subject to the limitation on the amount of monetary penalties which may be imposed pursuant to this chapter.
     (6) Whenever a monetary penalty, fee, cost, assessment, or other monetary obligation is imposed by a court under this chapter it is immediately payable. If the ((person is unable to pay at that time the court may, in its discretion, grant an extension of the period in which the penalty may be paid. If the penalty is not paid on or before the time established for payment the court shall notify the department of the failure to pay the penalty)) court determines, in its discretion that a person is not able to pay a monetary obligation in full, and not more than one year has passed since the effective date of this act or the date the monetary obligation initially became due and payable, the court shall enter into a payment plan with the person, unless the person has previously been granted a payment plan with respect to the same monetary obligation, in which case the court may, at its discretion, implement a payment plan. "Payment plan," as used in this section, means a plan that requires reasonable payments based on the financial ability of the person to pay. The person may voluntarily pay an amount at any time in addition to the payments required under the payment plan:
     (a) If a payment required to be made under the payment plan is delinquent or the person fails to complete a community restitution program on or before the time established under the payment plan, the court shall notify the department of the person's failure to meet the conditions of the plan, and the department shall suspend the person's driver's license or driving privilege until ((the penalty has)) all monetary obligations, including those imposed under subsections (3) and (4) of this section, have been paid ((and the penalty provided in subsection (4) of this section has been paid)), and court authorized community restitution has been completed or until the department has been notified that the court has entered into a new time payment or community restitution agreement with the person.
     (b) If a person has not entered into a payment plan with the court and has not paid the monetary obligation in full on or before the time established for payment, the court shall notify the department of the delinquency. The department shall suspend the person's driver's license or driving privilege until all monetary obligations have been paid, including those imposed under subsections (3) and (4) of this section, or until the person has entered into a payment plan under this section.
     (c) If the payment plan is to be administered by the court, the court may assess the person a reasonable administrative fee to be wholly retained by the city or county with jurisdiction. The administrative fee shall not exceed ten dollars per infraction or twenty-five dollars per payment plan, whichever is less.
     (d) Nothing in this section precludes a court from contracting with outside entities to administer its payment plan system. When outside entities are used for the administration of a payment plan, the court may assess the person a reasonable fee for such administrative services, which fee may be calculated on a periodic, percentage, or other basis. Fees collected under this subsection shall be wholly retained by the city or county with jurisdiction, for payment to its outside entity.
     (e) If a court authorized community restitution program for offenders is available in the jurisdiction, the court may allow conversion of all or part of the monetary obligations due under subsection (5) of this section to court authorized community restitution in lieu of time payments if the person is unable to make reasonable time payments.
     (7) In addition to any other penalties imposed under this section and not subject to the limitation of subsection (1) of this section, a person found to have committed a traffic infraction shall be assessed a fee of five dollars per infraction. Under no circumstances shall this fee be reduced or waived. Revenue from this fee shall be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the emergency medical services and trauma care system trust account under RCW 70.168.040.
     (8)(a) In addition to any other penalties imposed under this section and not subject to the limitation of subsection (1) of this section, a person found to have committed a traffic infraction other than of RCW 46.61.527 shall be assessed an additional penalty of twenty dollars. The court may not reduce, waive, or suspend the additional penalty unless the court finds the offender to be indigent. If a court authorized community restitution program for offenders is available in the jurisdiction, the court ((shall)) may allow offenders to offset all or a part of the penalty due under this subsection (8) by participation in the court authorized community restitution program.
     (b) Eight dollars and fifty cents of the additional penalty under (a) of this subsection shall be remitted to the state treasurer. The remaining revenue from the additional penalty must be remitted under chapters 2.08, 3.46, 3.50, 3.62, 10.82, and 35.20 RCW. Money remitted under this subsection to the state treasurer must be deposited as provided in RCW 43.08.250. The balance of the revenue received by the county or city treasurer under this subsection must be deposited into the county or city current expense fund. Moneys retained by the city or county under this subsection shall constitute reimbursement for any liabilities under RCW 43.135.060.
     (9) A person may not enter into a second or subsequent payment plan if the person is in noncompliance with the terms of any existing or prior plan.
     (10) A person is not eligible to enter into a payment plan if any delinquent amount owed by the person for any penalty imposed by the court under this section has been assigned to a collection agency and legal action has commenced to collect the delinquent amount.

Sec. 3   RCW 46.64.025 and 1999 c 86 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Whenever any person violates his or her written promise to appear in court, ((or)) fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing, or fails to comply with the terms of a citation, the court in which the defendant failed to appear or comply shall promptly give notice of such fact to the department of licensing. Whenever thereafter the case in which the defendant failed to appear or comply is adjudicated, the court hearing the case shall promptly file with the department a certificate showing that the case has been adjudicated.
     (2)(a) Where compliance with the terms of a misdemeanor citation is limited to the payment of a monetary penalty, fee, cost, assessment, or other monetary obligation, and the court determines, in its discretion, that a person is not able to pay the monetary obligation in full, and not more than one year has passed since the effective date of this act or the date the monetary obligation initially became due and payable, the court shall enter into a payment plan with the person, unless the person has previously been granted a payment plan with respect to the same monetary obligation, in which case the court may, at its discretion, implement a payment plan. "Payment plan," as used in this section, means a plan that requires reasonable payments based on the financial ability of the person to pay. The person may voluntarily pay any amount at any time in addition to these payments. If a person has entered into a payment plan under this subsection, the court shall not notify the department of licensing that the person has failed to comply with the terms of a citation as it applies to payment of the monetary obligation unless a payment required to be made under the payment plan is delinquent.
     (b) If the payment plan is to be administered by the court, the court may assess the person a reasonable administrative fee to be wholly retained by the city or county with jurisdiction. The administrative fee shall not exceed ten dollars per infraction or twenty-five dollars per payment plan, whichever is less.
     (c) Nothing in this section precludes a court from contracting with outside entities to administer its payment plan system. When outside entities are used for the administration of a payment plan, the court may assess the person a reasonable fee for such administrative services, which fee may be calculated on a periodic, percentage, or other basis. Fees collected under this subsection shall be wholly retained by the city or county with jurisdiction, for payment to its outside entity.
     (d) A person may not enter into a second or subsequent payment plan if the person is in noncompliance with the terms of any existing or prior plan.
     (e) A person is not eligible to enter into a payment plan if any delinquent amount owed by the person for any penalty imposed by the court under this section has been assigned to a collection agency and legal action has commenced to collect the delinquent amount.