Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee
HB 1301
Brief Description: Providing expanded options for fare enforcement by regional transit authorities.
Sponsors: Representatives Fitzgibbon, Hackney, Valdez and Macri.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows a regional transit authority (RTA) to establish an alternative fare enforcement system, which allows for the issuance of a notice of violation.
  • Allows RTAs to establish a system to adjudicate civil infractions.
Hearing Date: 2/8/21
Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).
Background:

Regional transit authorities (RTAs) are authorized to set fines and penalties for certain civil infractions, including:

  • failure to pay the required fare;
  • failure to display proof of payment when requested to do so by an authorized RTA employee; and
  • failure to leave a facility when requested to do so by an individual authorized to monitor fare payment.

 

Fines established by an RTA may not exceed the amount established in statute for a class 1 civil infraction, which is currently $250, before the addition of any statutory assessments.  Civil infractions established by an RTA may be heard by either a district or municipal court.
Summary of Bill:

An RTA is allowed to establish an alternative fare enforcement system, which allows for the issuance of a notice of violation, in addition to or as a replacement for the current civil infraction system.

An RTA is allowed to establish by resolution a system to adjudicate civil infractions.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.