Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Appropriations Committee |
ESSB 5127
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: Increasing the traumatic brain injury fee.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators McCoy, Billig, Darneille, Hunt, Rolfes and Schoesler).
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/18/19
Staff: Mary Mulholland (786-7391).
Background:
Traffic Infraction Penalties, Assessments, and Fees.
The base penalties for the majority of traffic infractions are set by the Washington Supreme Court, the most common of which is $48. Once additional assessments and fees are included, the total amount owed for infractions with base penalties of $48 comes to $136. This total includes the following additional penalties and fees, which are assessed for all traffic offenses: two public safety and education assessments (105 percent of base penalty); a legislative assessment ($20 assessment); a trauma care fee ($5 fee); an auto theft prevention fee ($10 fee); and a Traumatic Brain Injury Account fee ($2 fee).
The public safety and education assessments, legislative assessment, trauma care fee, and auto theft prevention fee may not be reduced or waived. The Traumatic Brain Injury Account fee may be reduced or waived.
Funds collected from the Traumatic Brain Injury fee must be deposited in the Traumatic Brain Injury Account.
Traumatic Brain Injury Account.
The Traumatic Brain Injury Account is an appropriated account administered by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Funds from this account may only be used:
to support activities listed in the Statewide Traumatic Brain Injury Comprehensive Plan;
to provide a public awareness campaign and services relating to traumatic brain injury (including programs that facilitate support groups to individuals with traumatic brain injuries and their families);
for information and referral services; and
for costs of DSHS staff providing support for the Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Strategic Partnership Advisory Council.
Summary of Bill:
The Traumatic Brain Injury Account fee is increased from $2 per traffic infraction to $5 per traffic infraction, and the fee may no longer be reduced or waived.
The incremental revenue from the fee increase shall be used for the following purposes:
innovative research to further evaluation and treatment protocols for individuals with a traumatic brain injury;
improving concussion prevention and treatment protocols for veterans, athletes, individuals impacted by domestic violence, and other vulnerable populations;
developing and maintaining a repository at the University of Washington for public access to information regarding concussion prevention, recognition, evaluation, and treatment;
increasing the number of case managers at the Brain Injury Alliance of Washington to cover all areas of the state;
increasing the number of brain health and wellness classes for brain injury survivors and their family members;
establishing a statewide system of brain injury patient referrals for those discharged from any hospital with a diagnosis of brain injury; and
providing a statewide awareness campaign and training in support of return to work for individuals who have suffered a brain injury.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on March 8, 2019.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.