1864-S AMH TAKK BALL 033

                

SHB 1864 - H AMD 414

By Representative Takko

ADOPTED 04/16/2013

    On page 9, line 29, increase the State Patrol Highway Account--State Appropriation by $370,000

 

    On page 10, line 3, correct the total

 

    On page 11, after line 22, insert the following:

    "(12) $370,000 of the state patrol highway account--state appropriation is provided solely for costs associated with the pilot program described under section 216(5) of this act.  The Washington state patrol may incur costs related only to the assignment of cadets and necessary computer equipment and to the reimbursement of the department of transportation for contract costs.  The appropriation in this subsection must be funded from the portion of the automated traffic safety camera infraction fines deposited into the state patrol highway account; however, if the fines deposited into the state patrol highway account from automated traffic safety camera infractions do not reach three hundred seventy thousand dollars, the department of transportation shall remit funds necessary to the Washington state patrol to ensure the completion of the pilot program.  The Washington state patrol may not incur overtime as a result of this pilot program.  The Washington state patrol shall not assign troopers to operate or deploy the pilot program equipment used in roadway construction zones."

 

    Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

 

    On page 19, after line 30, insert the following:

    "(5) The department, in consultation with the Washington state patrol, must continue a pilot program for the state patrol to issue infractions based on information from automated traffic safety cameras in roadway construction zones on state highways.  For the purpose of this pilot program, during the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium, a roadway construction zone includes areas where public employees or private contractors may be present or where a driving condition exists that would make it unsafe to drive at higher speeds, such as, when the department is redirecting or realigning lanes on any public roadway pursuant to ongoing construction.  The department shall use the following guidelines to administer the program:

    (a) Automated traffic safety cameras may only take pictures of the vehicle and vehicle license plate and only while an infraction is occurring.  The picture must not reveal the face of the driver or of passengers in the vehicle;

    (b) The department shall plainly mark the locations where the automated traffic safety cameras are used by placing signs on locations that clearly indicate to a driver that he or she is entering a roadway construction zone where traffic laws are enforced by an automated traffic safety camera;

    (c) Notices of infractions must be mailed to the registered owner of a vehicle within fourteen days of the infraction occurring;

    (d) The owner of the vehicle is not responsible for the violation if the owner of the vehicle, within fourteen days of receiving notification of the violation, mails to the patrol, a declaration under penalty of perjury, stating that the vehicle involved was, at the time, stolen or in the care, custody, or control of some person other than the registered owner, or any other extenuating circumstances;

    (e) For purposes of the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium pilot program, infractions detected through the use of automated traffic safety cameras are not part of the registered owner's driving record under RCW 46.52.101 and 46.52.120.  Additionally, infractions generated by the use of automated traffic safety cameras must be processed in the same manner as parking infractions for the purposes of RCW 3.50.100, 35.20.220, 46.16A.120, and 46.20.270(3).  However, the amount of the fine issued under this subsection (3) for an infraction generated through the use of an automated traffic safety camera is one hundred thirty-seven dollars.  The court shall remit thirty-two dollars of the fine to the state treasurer for deposit into the state patrol highway account; and

    (f) If a notice of infraction is sent to the registered owner and the registered owner is a rental car business, the infraction must be dismissed against the business if it mails to the patrol, within fourteen days of receiving the notice, a declaration under penalty of perjury of the name and known mailing address of the individual driving or renting the vehicle when the infraction occurred.  If the business is unable to determine who was driving or renting the vehicle at the time the infraction occurred, the business must sign a declaration under penalty of perjury to this effect.  The declaration must be mailed to the patrol within fourteen days of receiving the notice of traffic infraction.  Timely mailing of this declaration to the issuing agency relieves a rental car business of any liability under this section for the notice of infraction.  A declaration form suitable for this purpose must be included with each automated traffic safety camera infraction notice issued, along with instructions for its completion and use."

 

    Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal

references accordingly.

 

    On page 82, after line 13, insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 711. RCW 46.63.170 and 2012 c 85 s 3 and 2012 c 83 s 7 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

    (1) The use of automated traffic safety cameras for issuance of notices of infraction is subject to the following requirements:

    (a) The appropriate local legislative authority must prepare an analysis of the locations within the jurisdiction where automated traffic safety cameras are proposed to be located:  (i) Before enacting an ordinance allowing for the initial use of automated traffic safety cameras; and (ii) before adding additional cameras or relocating any existing camera to a new location within the jurisdiction.  Automated traffic safety cameras may be used to detect one or more of the following:  Stoplight, railroad crossing, or school speed zone violations.  At a minimum, the local ordinance must contain the restrictions described in this section and provisions for public notice and signage.  Cities and counties using automated traffic safety cameras before July 24, 2005, are subject to the restrictions described in this section, but are not required to enact an authorizing ordinance.  Beginning one year after June 7, 2012, cities and counties using automated traffic safety cameras must post an annual report of the number of traffic accidents that occurred at each location where an automated traffic safety camera is located as well as the number of notices of infraction issued for each camera and any other relevant information about the automated traffic safety cameras that the city or county deems appropriate on the city's or county's web site.

    (b) Use of automated traffic safety cameras is restricted to the following locations only:  (i) Intersections of two arterials with traffic control signals that have yellow change interval durations in accordance with RCW 47.36.022, which interval durations may not be reduced after placement of the camera; (ii) railroad crossings; and (iii) school speed zones.

    (c) During the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, automated traffic safety cameras may be used to detect speed violations for the purposes of section 201(2), chapter 367, Laws of 2011 if the local legislative authority first enacts an ordinance authorizing the use of cameras to detect speed violations.

    (d) Automated traffic safety cameras may only take pictures of the vehicle and vehicle license plate and only while an infraction is occurring.  The picture must not reveal the face of the driver or of passengers in the vehicle.  The primary purpose of camera placement is to take pictures of the vehicle and vehicle license plate when an infraction is occurring.  Cities and counties shall consider installing cameras in a manner that minimizes the impact of camera flash on drivers.

    (e) A notice of infraction must be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle within fourteen days of the violation, or to the renter of a vehicle within fourteen days of establishing the renter's name and address under subsection (3)(a) of this section.  The law enforcement officer issuing the notice of infraction shall include with it a certificate or facsimile thereof, based upon inspection of photographs, microphotographs, or electronic images produced by an automated traffic safety camera, stating the facts supporting the notice of infraction.  This certificate or facsimile is prima facie evidence of the facts contained in it and is admissible in a proceeding charging a violation under this chapter.  The photographs, microphotographs, or electronic images evidencing the violation must be available for inspection and admission into evidence in a proceeding to adjudicate the liability for the infraction.  A person receiving a notice of infraction based on evidence detected by an automated traffic safety camera may respond to the notice by mail.

    (f) The registered owner of a vehicle is responsible for an infraction under RCW 46.63.030(1)(d) unless the registered owner overcomes the presumption in RCW 46.63.075, or, in the case of a rental car business, satisfies the conditions under subsection (3) of this section.  If appropriate under the circumstances, a renter identified under subsection (3)(a) of this section is responsible for an infraction.

    (g) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all photographs, microphotographs, or electronic images prepared under this section are for the exclusive use of law enforcement in the discharge of duties under this section and are not open to the public and may not be used in a court in a pending action or proceeding unless the action or proceeding relates to a violation under this section.  No photograph, microphotograph, or electronic image may be used for any purpose other than enforcement of violations under this section nor retained longer than necessary to enforce this section.

    (h) All locations where an automated traffic safety camera is used must be clearly marked at least thirty days prior to activation of the camera by placing signs in locations that clearly indicate to a driver that he or she is entering a zone where traffic laws are enforced by an automated traffic safety camera.  Signs placed in automated traffic safety camera locations after June 7, 2012, must follow the specifications and guidelines under the manual of uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways as adopted by the department of transportation under chapter 47.36 RCW.

    (i) If a county or city has established an authorized automated traffic safety camera program under this section, the compensation paid to the manufacturer or vendor of the equipment used must be based only upon the value of the equipment and services provided or rendered in support of the system, and may not be based upon a portion of the fine or civil penalty imposed or the revenue generated by the equipment.

    (2) Infractions detected through the use of automated traffic safety cameras are not part of the registered owner's driving record under RCW 46.52.101 and 46.52.120.  Additionally, infractions generated by the use of automated traffic safety cameras under this section shall be processed in the same manner as parking infractions, including for the purposes of RCW 3.50.100, 35.20.220, 46.16A.120, and 46.20.270(3).  The amount of the fine issued for an infraction generated through the use of an automated traffic safety camera shall not exceed the amount of a fine issued for other parking infractions within the jurisdiction.  However, the amount of the fine issued for a traffic control signal violation detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera shall not exceed the monetary penalty for a violation of RCW 46.61.050 as provided under RCW 46.63.110, including all applicable statutory assessments.

    (3) If the registered owner of the vehicle is a rental car business, the law enforcement agency shall, before a notice of infraction being issued under this section, provide a written notice to the rental car business that a notice of infraction may be issued to the rental car business if the rental car business does not, within eighteen days of receiving the written notice, provide to the issuing agency by return mail:

    (a) A statement under oath stating the name and known mailing address of the individual driving or renting the vehicle when the infraction occurred; or

    (b) A statement under oath that the business is unable to determine who was driving or renting the vehicle at the time the infraction occurred because the vehicle was stolen at the time of the infraction.  A statement provided under this subsection must be accompanied by a copy of a filed police report regarding the vehicle theft; or

    (c) In lieu of identifying the vehicle operator, the rental car business may pay the applicable penalty.

    Timely mailing of this statement to the issuing law enforcement agency relieves a rental car business of any liability under this chapter for the notice of infraction.

    (4) Nothing in this section prohibits a law enforcement officer from issuing a notice of traffic infraction to a person in control of a vehicle at the time a violation occurs under RCW 46.63.030(1) (a), (b), or (c).

    (5) For the purposes of this section, "automated traffic safety camera" means a device that uses a vehicle sensor installed to work in conjunction with an intersection traffic control system, a railroad grade crossing control system, or a speed measuring device, and a camera synchronized to automatically record one or more sequenced photographs, microphotographs, or electronic images of the rear of a motor vehicle at the time the vehicle fails to stop when facing a steady red traffic control signal or an activated railroad grade crossing control signal, or exceeds a speed limit in a school speed zone as detected by a speed measuring device.  During the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, an automated traffic safety camera includes a camera used to detect speed violations for the purposes of section 201(2), chapter 367, Laws of 2011.

    (6) During the 2011-2013 and 2013-2015 fiscal ((biennium)) biennia, this section does not apply to automated traffic safety cameras for the purposes of ((section 216(5), chapter 367, Laws of 2011)) section 216(5) of this act."

 

    On page 90, line 2, increase the State Patrol Highway Account--State Appropriation by $370,000

 

    On page 90, line 11, correct the total

 

    On page 90, beginning on line 31, after "(3)" strike all material through "(4)" on page 32, line 10 and insert the following:

    "$370,000 of the state patrol highway account--state appropriation is provided solely for costs associated with the pilot program described under section 216(5) ((of this act)), chapter 86, Laws of 2012.  The Washington state patrol may incur costs related only to the assignment of cadets and necessary computer equipment and to the reimbursement of the Washington state department of transportation for contract costs.  The appropriation in this subsection must be funded from the portion of the automated traffic safety camera fines deposited into the state patrol highway account; however, if the fines deposited into the state patrol highway account from automated traffic safety camera infractions do not reach three hundred seventy thousand dollars, the department of transportation shall remit funds necessary to the Washington state patrol to ensure the completion of the pilot program.  The Washington state patrol may not incur overtime as a result of this pilot program.  The Washington state patrol shall not assign troopers to operate or deploy the pilot program equipment used in the roadway construction zones.

    (4) (("

 

    Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

 

    On page 107, beginning on line 15, after "(5)" strike all material through "6))" on page 108, line 34 and insert the following:

    "The department, in consultation with the Washington state patrol, must continue a pilot program for the patrol to issue infractions based on information from automated traffic safety cameras in roadway construction zones on state highways.  The department must report to the joint transportation committee by January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2013, on the status of this pilot program.  For the purpose of this pilot program, during the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, a roadway construction zone includes areas where public employees or private contractors may be present or where a driving condition exists that would make it unsafe to drive at higher speeds, such as, when the department is redirecting or realigning lanes on any public roadway pursuant to ongoing construction.  The department shall use the following guidelines to administer the program:

    (a) Automated traffic safety cameras may only take pictures of the vehicle and vehicle license plate and only while an infraction is occurring.  The picture must not reveal the face of the driver or of passengers in the vehicle;

    (b) The department shall plainly mark the locations where the automated traffic safety cameras are used by placing signs on locations that clearly indicate to a driver that he or she is entering a roadway construction zone where traffic laws are enforced by an automated traffic safety camera;

    (c) Notices of infractions must be mailed to the registered owner of a vehicle within fourteen days of the infraction occurring;

    (d) The owner of the vehicle is not responsible for the violation if the owner of the vehicle, within fourteen days of receiving notification of the violation, mails to the patrol, a declaration under penalty of perjury, stating that the vehicle involved was, at the time, stolen or in the care, custody, or control of some person other than the registered owner, or any other extenuating circumstances;

    (e) For purposes of the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium pilot program, infractions detected through the use of automated traffic safety cameras are not part of the registered owner's driving record under RCW 46.52.101 and 46.52.120.  Additionally, infractions generated by the use of automated traffic safety cameras must be processed in the same manner as parking infractions for the purposes of RCW 3.50.100, 35.20.220, 46.16A.120, and 46.20.270(3).  However, the amount of the fine issued under this subsection (5) for an infraction generated through the use of an automated traffic safety camera is one hundred thirty-seven dollars.  The court shall remit thirty-two dollars of the fine to the state treasurer for deposit into the state patrol highway account; and

    (f) If a notice of infraction is sent to the registered owner and the registered owner is a rental car business, the infraction must be dismissed against the business if it mails to the patrol, within fourteen days of receiving the notice, a declaration under penalty of perjury of the name and known mailing address of the individual driving or renting the vehicle when the infraction occurred.  If the business is unable to determine who was driving or renting the vehicle at the time the infraction occurred, the business must sign a declaration under penalty of perjury to this effect.  The declaration must be mailed to the patrol within fourteen days of receiving the notice of traffic infraction.  Timely mailing of this declaration to the issuing agency relieves a rental car business of any liability under this section for the notice of infraction.  A declaration form suitable for this purpose must be included with each automated traffic infraction notice issued, along with instructions for its completion and use.

    (6)"

 

 

    EFFECT:  Directs the Department of Transportation to work with the Washington State Patrol to continue a pilot program for the
Patrol to issue traffic citations based on information from automated traffic safety cameras in highway construction zones.  This also gives the Patrol the appropriation authority to use fine money received from the citations to help administer the program.

 

    FISCAL IMPACT:

           Increases WSP Highway Account - State by $740,000.

 

 

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