SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1301
As of March 15, 2021
Title: An act relating to providing expanded options for fare enforcement by regional transit authorities.
Brief Description: Providing expanded options for fare enforcement by regional transit authorities.
Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Fitzgibbon, Hackney, Valdez and Macri).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/3/21, 96-1.
Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/16/21.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows a regional transit authority to establish an alternative fare enforcement system, which allows for the issuance of notices of violation, the resolution of notices of violation, and the resolution of appeals.
  • Limits the fines associated with notices of violation to the same maximum amount allowed for civil infractions, but notices of violation may be subject to nonmonetary sanctions instead of fines.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Staff: Daniel Masterson (786-7454)
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 a person designated to monitor fare payment; and
  • failure to leave a facility when requested to do so by a person designated 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 notices of violation, resolution of notices of violation, and resolution of appeals, in addition to or as a replacement for the current civil infraction system.

 

The fines associated with notices of violation are limited to the same maximum amount allowed for civil infractions, but notices of violation may be subject to nonmonetary sanctions instead of fines.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.