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Senate committee holds hearing on SB 5705 to double penalties for certain repeat traffic infractions
Summary
Staff briefed the committee on SB 5705, which would double base penalties for specified traffic infractions when a second or subsequent violation occurs within two years; sponsor and enforcement officials discussed the proposal and an estimated one‑time $73,000 training cost to State Patrol was cited in the fiscal note.
The Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5705 on Feb. 13 to consider proposals that would increase monetary penalties for repeat traffic infractions.
Staff briefing: Brandon Popovac, committee staff, summarized the bill. Under current law, the courts use a judicial base penalty schedule for traffic infractions and courts may waive or remit penalties in many cases; a portion of every base penalty is a nonwaivable Judicial Information Systems (JIS) assessment. Popovac said SB 5705 would double the base penalty amount for a second or subsequent offense within two years for specified infractions, including following too closely, speeding more than reasonable and prudent, speeding more than 10 miles per hour over the limit on any highway, negligent driving in the second degree, failure to wear a safety belt, and failure to secure a person under 16. The bill would also double the base penalty for unlawfully using a personal electronic device in a school or playground speed zone; that doubled amount could not be waived, reduced or suspended.
Fiscal note: Popovac said the preliminary fiscal note estimates a one‑time training cost of about $73,000 to the Washington State Patrol for officer training on the new penalty amounts. Revenue impacts to local jurisdictions and the state general fund were described as expected but indeterminate.
Sponsor remarks: The bill’s prime sponsor (identified in committee as the bill’s senator) said the measure responds to concerns raised by troopers and prosecutors about drivers who repeatedly commit dangerous infractions. The sponsor said the list of covered infractions was developed in consultation with the Traffic Safety Commission, the Patrol and traffic safety prosecutors and is intended to align higher penalties with behaviors most associated with fatalities and serious injuries.
Why it matters: The proposal links higher monetary penalties to repeat behavior for selected traffic offenses and explicitly preserves judicial discretion to reduce amounts on a case‑by‑case basis (except for the school/playground device use enhancement). Committee staff noted collection plans exist to assist lower‑income respondents and that courts may offer payment plans or remissions as provided by law.
Public testimony: The committee record showed 83 sign‑ins in support with no public oral testimony at the hearing.
Next steps: The bill remains in committee for consideration; senators asked staff and agency witnesses questions about implementation and enforcement, including the training cost estimate.
