Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 1504

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.

Brief Description: Concerning employer review of abstracts of driving records.

Sponsors: Representatives Fitzgibbon, Moscoso and Finn.

Brief Summary of Bill

Authorizes the Department of Licensing (DOL) to enter into a contractual agreement with an employer or its agent for the purpose of reviewing driving records of existing employees during specified periods of time.
Authorized the DOL to establish a fee for the service which may not result in a net revenue loss to the state.

Hearing Date: 2/14/11

Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).

Background:

The Director of the Department of Licensing (DOL) maintains a driving record on every person licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the State of Washington. These records, or driver abstracts, contain information relating to a person's driving record which include: accident information, driving status, and information about traffic citations.

The DOL charges a $10 fee to obtain a driver's abstract and is restricted to the following persons and uses:

the individual named in the abstract;
employers or prospective employers relating to driving as a condition of employment;
volunteer organizations where driving is required;
transit authorities for volunteer vanpool drivers;
insurance carriers for an individual covering the period of not more than the last three years;
state colleges, universities, or agencies, or units of local government for employment and risk management purposes authorized to self-insure;
the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for school bus drivers;
circumstances related to traffic offenses:
1. alcohol/drug assessment or treatment agencies; and
2. city attorneys and county prosecuting attorneys.

Any negligent violation of these authorized uses is a gross misdemeanor and any intentional violation is a class C felony.

Summary of Bill:

The DOL may enter into a contractual agreement with an employer or its agent for the purpose of reviewing the driving records of existing employees for changes to the record and must establish a fee for this service, which may not result in a net revenue loss to the state.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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