HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1103
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
Title: An act relating to the use of television viewers in motor vehicles.
Brief Description: Modifying the use of television viewers in motor vehicles.
Sponsors: Representatives Kristiansen, Morris and Armstrong.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 1/20/11, 1/27/11 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 28 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Billig, Vice Chair; Liias, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Asay, Eddy, Finn, Fitzgibbon, Jinkins, Johnson, Klippert, Kristiansen, Ladenburg, McCune, Moeller, Morris, Moscoso, Overstreet, Reykdal, Rivers, Rodne, Ryu, Shea, Takko, Upthegrove and Zeiger.
Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).
Background:
Under current law, the use of equipment that is capable of receiving a television broadcast in a motor vehicle cannot be located forward of the back of the driver's seat or be visible to the driver while operating a motor vehicle.
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Summary of Substitute Bill:
The bill removes the requirement that the equipment capable of receiving a television broadcast be located at any point behind the driver's seat. It requires that no person will drive a motor vehicle with equipment capable of receiving a television broadcast when the moving images are visible to the driver while the motor vehicle is on a public road.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The phrase in the original bill was changed from "is in motion" to "on a public road." It now requires that a vehicle driver cannot visually see any moving images from any equipment receiving a television broadcast anytime a driver is operating a motor vehicle on a public road.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) With the new technology, the screen in some of the new vehicles is set up so that a driver looks at the screen and sees the navigation system, where a passenger in the passenger seat can see television images. The sounds from the technology would be no different than the sounds coming from a radio or hands-free communication device. Thirty-six states already have language that allow this type of equipment in vehicles.
(With concerns) The new technology brings a new way of thinking about technology in vehicles, but the technology is so new there is no safety data available on events occurring because of this technology. Since the driver can still hear the sounds from a television broadcast, would this be a distraction to the driver? Some stakeholders would like to see a committee amendment placing the word "operating" back in the bill as it is in the statute currently, along with replacing the language "is in motion" to "on a public road."
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Kristiansen, prime sponsor; and Ryan Spiller, Auto Alliance.
(With concerns) Melissa Van Gorram, Washington State Patrol; and Dave Janis, Driven to Distraction Task Force.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.