Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee

HB 2400

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: Regarding cost savings and efficiencies in mailing notices of revocation to habitual traffic offenders.

Sponsors: Representatives Hunt, Hudgins, Upthegrove, Ormsby, Green, Miloscia and Moscoso.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to utilize first class mail, rather than certified mail, to notify a habitual traffic offender of his or her license revocation.

Hearing Date: 1/19/12

Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).

Background:

The Washington Habitual Traffic Offenders Act sets forth a statutory scheme for identifying those persons committing traffic offenses who meet the definition of "habitual offender". Statute identifies a series of specified, serious traffic offenses that trigger the "habitual offender" categorization, due either to the seriousness of the offense or the number and/or frequency of specified offenses.

A person meeting the definition of habitual offender is subject to the revocation of his or her driver's license. The Department of Motor Vehicles is required to notify a habitual offender of such license revocation by certified mail.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Motor Vehicles is authorized to utilize first class mail, rather than certified mail, to notify a habitual traffic offender of his or her license revocation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 16, 2012.

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