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Committee backs fee increase to boost traumatic brain injury support, conference funding
Summary
The committee voted unanimously to report House Bill 18‑48 out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation; the bill raises a traffic infraction fee deposited to the traumatic brain injury account and sets spending priorities for in‑person supports and an annual statewide conference.
The House Early Learning and Human Services Committee on executive session unanimously reported House Bill 18‑48 out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation.
Committee counsel Luke Wickham summarized the bill: "18 48 relates to, traumatic brain injuries and the underlying there are no amendments, but the underlying bill increases the traffic infraction fee that's deposited into the, traumatic brain injury account from $5 to $10 per infraction. It requires that the, Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Strategic Partnership Advisory Council sponsor an annual statewide traumatic brain injury conference And it, provides some requirements on the expenditures from the account... requiring that those at least 30% of those expenditures be used for in person support groups for individuals with a traumatic brain injury and their families, programs designed for social integration, peer to peer mentoring, and equitable geographic access for those programs."
Representative Goodman, speaking in support, described the community need and past spending concerns at the Department of Social and Health Services: "we enacted a number of bills... those who are in the, community of of people with traumatic brain injuries have been able to gather in person, which is extremely important, for them to heal and to support 1 another... the Department of Social Health Services, did not, spend the money well that we had raised, frankly, squandered it."
Representative Dent and other members spoke in support, describing personal experience with traumatic brain injury advocates and the value of in‑person supports. The committee took a roll call and the clerk announced the vote as 11 ayes, 0 nays. House Bill 18‑48 will move forward with a due‑pass recommendation.
Ending: The bill, as described in committee, increases the per‑infraction fee and directs the Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Strategic Partnership Advisory Council to sponsor an annual statewide conference and prioritize in‑person supports and geographic equity in expenditures.
