BILL REQ. #:  S-3948.1 

Read first time 01/15/08.   Referred to Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing.

     AN ACT Relating to electronic data recorders in motor vehicles; reenacting and amending RCW 46.63.020; adding a new section to chapter 48.30 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 46 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Electronic data recorder" means a device that is installed by the manufacturer of a motor vehicle and, for the purposes of capturing data for retrieval after a crash, does one or more of the following:
     (a) Records vehicle speed or direction;
     (b) Records vehicle location data;
     (c) Records vehicle steering performance;
     (d) Records vehicle brake performance, including whether brakes were applied before a crash;
     (e) Records the driver's seatbelt status;
     (f) Has the ability to transmit information concerning a crash that involves the motor vehicle to a central communications system or other external device when the crash occurs.
     (2) "Owner" means:
     (a) A person having all the incidents of ownership, including legal title, of a motor vehicle, whether or not the person lends, rents, or creates a security interest in the motor vehicle;
     (b) A person entitled to the possession of a motor vehicle as the purchaser under a security agreement; or
     (c) A person entitled to possession of a motor vehicle as a lessee pursuant to a written lease agreement for a period of more than three months.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) A manufacturer of a new motor vehicle that is sold or leased in this state and is equipped with an electronic data recorder shall disclose that the motor vehicle is equipped with an electronic data recorder in the owner's manual for the motor vehicle. The disclosure must include, if applicable, a statement that the electronic data recorder:
     (a) Records the direction and rate of speed at which the motor vehicle travels;
     (b) Records a history of where the motor vehicle travels;
     (c) Records steering performance;
     (d) Records brake performance, including whether the brakes were applied before an accident;
     (e) Records the status of the driver's safety belt; and
     (f) If an accident involving the motor vehicle occurs, is able to transmit information concerning the accident to a central communications system.
     (2) If an electronic data recorder is used as part of a subscription service, the subscription service agreement must disclose that the device may record or transmit information as described in subsection (1) of this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) Information recorded or transmitted by an electronic data recorder may not be retrieved, downloaded, or otherwise accessed by a person other than the owner of the motor vehicle in which the recording device is installed except:
     (a) Upon a court order;
     (b) With the consent of the owner for any purpose, including diagnosing, servicing, or repairing the motor vehicle;
     (c) For improving motor vehicle safety, including medical research on the human body's reaction to motor vehicle accidents, if the identity of the owner or driver of the motor vehicle is not disclosed in connection with the retrieved information;
     (d) For determining the need for or facilitating emergency medical response if a motor vehicle accident occurs; or
     (e) For subscription services pursuant to an agreement in which disclosure required under section 4 of this act has been made.
     (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(c) of this section:
     (a) The disclosure of a motor vehicle's vehicle identification number with the last six digits deleted or redacted is not a disclosure of the identity of the owner or driver; and
     (b) Retrieved information may only be disclosed to a data processor.
     (3) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The consent of the owner of a motor vehicle with an electronic data recorder for use of recorded data to investigate a motor vehicle accident or insurance claim shall not be requested or obtained until after the event giving rise to the claim has occurred, and shall not be made a condition of the defense, payment, or settlement of an obligation or claim. For underwriting and rating purposes, the owner may provide his or her consent either directly to the insurer or through and as certified by a named insured.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The legislature finds that the practices covered by this chapter are matters vitally affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying chapter 19.86 RCW. A violation of this chapter is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business and is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of competition for the purpose of applying chapter 19.86 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 48.30 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) An insurer shall not refuse to renew a motor vehicle insurance policy solely because a motor vehicle owner, as defined in section 1 of this act, refuses to provide access to recorded data from an electronic data recorder, as defined in section 1 of this act.
     (2) An insurer or agent shall not: Reduce coverage; increase the insured's premium; apply a surcharge; refuse to apply a discount other than a discount that is based on data recorded by an electronic data recorder as defined in section 1 of this act; place the motor vehicle owner in a less favorable tier; refuse to place the motor vehicle owner in the insurer's best tier; or when there are multiple insurers available, fail to place the motor vehicle owner with the most favorably priced insurer, solely because a motor vehicle owner refuses to allow an insurer access to data from an electronic data recorder as defined in section 1 of this act.

Sec. 7   RCW 46.63.020 and 2005 c 431 s 2, 2005 c 323 s 3, and 2005 c 183 s 10 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     Failure to perform any act required or the performance of any act prohibited by this title or an equivalent administrative regulation or local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution relating to traffic including parking, standing, stopping, and pedestrian offenses, is designated as a traffic infraction and may not be classified as a criminal offense, except for an offense contained in the following provisions of this title or a violation of an equivalent administrative regulation or local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution:
     (1) RCW 46.09.120(2) relating to the operation of a nonhighway vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance;
     (2) RCW 46.09.130 relating to operation of nonhighway vehicles;
     (3) RCW 46.10.090(2) relating to the operation of a snowmobile while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics or habit-forming drugs or in a manner endangering the person of another;
     (4) RCW 46.10.130 relating to the operation of snowmobiles;
     (5) Chapter 46.12 RCW relating to certificates of ownership and registration and markings indicating that a vehicle has been destroyed or declared a total loss;
     (6) RCW 46.16.010 relating to the nonpayment of taxes and fees by failure to register a vehicle and falsifying residency when registering a motor vehicle;
     (7) RCW 46.16.011 relating to permitting unauthorized persons to drive;
     (8) RCW 46.16.160 relating to vehicle trip permits;
     (9) RCW 46.16.381(2) relating to knowingly providing false information in conjunction with an application for a special placard or license plate for ((disabled persons')) parking for persons with disabilities;
     (10) RCW 46.20.005 relating to driving without a valid driver's license;
     (11) RCW 46.20.091 relating to false statements regarding a driver's license or instruction permit;
     (12) RCW 46.20.0921 relating to the unlawful possession and use of a driver's license;
     (13) RCW 46.20.342 relating to driving with a suspended or revoked license or status;
     (14) RCW 46.20.345 relating to the operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license;
     (15) RCW 46.20.410 relating to the violation of restrictions of an occupational or temporary restricted driver's license;
     (16) RCW 46.20.740 relating to operation of a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device in violation of a license notation that the device is required;
     (17) RCW 46.20.750 relating to ((assisting another person to start a vehicle equipped with)) circumventing an ignition interlock device;
     (18) RCW 46.25.170 relating to commercial driver's licenses;
     (19) Chapter 46.29 RCW relating to financial responsibility;
     (20) RCW 46.30.040 relating to providing false evidence of financial responsibility;
     (21) RCW 46.37.435 relating to wrongful installation of sunscreening material;
     (22) RCW 46.37.650 relating to the sale, resale, distribution, or installation of a previously deployed air bag;
     (23) RCW 46.37.671 through 46.37.675 relating to signal preemption devices;
     (24) RCW 46.44.180 relating to operation of mobile home pilot vehicles;
     (((24))) (25) RCW 46.48.175 relating to the transportation of dangerous articles;
     (((25))) (26) RCW 46.52.010 relating to duty on striking an unattended car or other property;
     (((26))) (27) RCW 46.52.020 relating to duty in case of injury to or death of a person or damage to an attended vehicle;
     (((27))) (28) RCW 46.52.090 relating to reports by repairmen, storagemen, and appraisers;
     (((28))) (29) RCW 46.52.130 relating to confidentiality of the driving record to be furnished to an insurance company, an employer, and an alcohol/drug assessment or treatment agency;
     (((29))) (30) RCW 46.55.020 relating to engaging in the activities of a registered tow truck operator without a registration certificate;
     (((30))) (31) RCW 46.55.035 relating to prohibited practices by tow truck operators;
     (((31))) (32) RCW 46.55.300 relating to immobilizing a vehicle by a person who is not the property owner;
     (33) RCW 46.61.015 relating to obedience to police officers, flaggers, or firefighters;
     (((32))) (34) RCW 46.61.020 relating to refusal to give information to or cooperate with an officer;
     (((33))) (35) RCW 46.61.022 relating to failure to stop and give identification to an officer;
     (((34))) (36) RCW 46.61.024 relating to attempting to elude pursuing police vehicles;
     (((35))) (37) RCW 46.61.500 relating to reckless driving;
     (((36))) (38) RCW 46.61.502 and 46.61.504 relating to persons under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs;
     (((37))) (39) RCW 46.61.503 relating to a person under age twenty-one driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol;
     (((38))) (40) RCW 46.61.520 relating to vehicular homicide by motor vehicle;
     (((39))) (41) RCW 46.61.522 relating to vehicular assault;
     (((40))) (42) RCW 46.61.5249 relating to first degree negligent driving;
     (((41))) (43) RCW 46.61.527(4) relating to reckless endangerment of roadway workers;
     (((42))) (44) RCW 46.61.530 relating to racing of vehicles on highways;
     (((43))) (45) RCW 46.61.655(7) (a) and (b) relating to failure to secure a load;
     (((44))) (46) RCW 46.61.685 relating to leaving children in an unattended vehicle with the motor running;
     (((45))) (47) RCW 46.61.740 relating to theft of motor vehicle fuel;
     (((46) RCW 46.37.671 through 46.37.675 relating to signal preemption devices;
     (47))) (48) RCW 46.64.010 relating to unlawful cancellation of or attempt to cancel a traffic citation;
     (((48))) (49) RCW 46.64.048 relating to attempting, aiding, abetting, coercing, and committing crimes;
     (((49))) (50) Chapter 46.65 RCW relating to habitual traffic offenders;
     (((50))) (51) RCW 46.68.010 relating to false statements made to obtain a refund;
     (((51))) (52) Section 3 of this act relating to electronic data recorder information;
     (53) Chapter 46.70 RCW relating to unfair motor vehicle business practices, except where that chapter provides for the assessment of monetary penalties of a civil nature;
     (((52))) (54) Chapter 46.72 RCW relating to the transportation of passengers in for hire vehicles;
     (((53))) (55) RCW 46.72A.060 relating to limousine carrier insurance;
     (((54))) (56) RCW 46.72A.070 relating to operation of a limousine without a vehicle certificate;
     (((55))) (57) RCW 46.72A.080 relating to false advertising by a limousine carrier;
     (((56))) (58) Chapter 46.80 RCW relating to motor vehicle wreckers;
     (((57))) (59) Chapter 46.82 RCW relating to driver's training schools;
     (((58))) (60) RCW 46.87.260 relating to alteration or forgery of a cab card, letter of authority, or other temporary authority issued under chapter 46.87 RCW;
     (((59))) (61) RCW 46.87.290 relating to operation of an unregistered or unlicensed vehicle under chapter 46.87 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   Sections 1 through 5 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 46 RCW.