[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6361593,"mediaKeyId","2170555-b1f5d39f3e7fe9de441b1b1a2caf9a7f","parentId",2170555,"title","House committee hears bill to let courts require in-vehicle speed limiters for serious speeders","audioSeconds",4066,"startMs",158000,"endMs",4224000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170555-b1f5d39f3e7fe9de441b1b1a2caf9a7f&start=158&end=4224","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170555-b1f5d39f3e7fe9de441b1b1a2caf9a7f/thumbnail_158000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361593/Washington/House-committee-hears-bill-to-let-courts-require-in-vehicle-speed-limiters-for-serious-speeders","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361593-18040109a91823cf97848e41f34b60ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150167&Signature=PQx7-lBZ7yvvJerLCDgvp31kNh1htUT~KVJfr6BTahufuXxhfvU610ilchfDg37QvjIhmA6DXgihmuMvkpbP2DfkyFMQDzKr3pnHrrVDG6Ht0jTk7sLyr0DRtt7~oV9WYhyLHs8LqhMhtIUVLdUG-VUKexv9FvTTDgH0bODql3dVdU4jLVyyyG3VewFTf-3PadfTN2fJG2l1zajbLqxunkiog0HlnnRmePcG07s7OL5qwg7tiQbu4ukY0GqIn2DoiNyurCZcAf52cLFygV5CXK3GDX4UI1PNjk1zhn63AMiI1yfpv4xY4~4cQ7LHHdJFpHxn8jKX7-Q~XfT0Z2YwXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Transportation","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","OLYMPIA — The House Transportation Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1596, a proposal to let courts and the Department of Licensing require “intelligent speed assistance” (ISA) devices — GPS-based speed limiters — for people whose licenses were suspended after specified excessive-speeding or racing convictions.

Representative Marie Levitt, prime sponsor, told the committee the measure targets repeat offenders who cause a disproportionate share of speed-related traffic deaths. \"Washingtonians are losing their lives or families or losing a loved one from crashes as a result of excessive speeding,\" Levitt said. The bill would make a new restricted license available to eligible drivers who install an ISA device and pay a fee; courts could also order ISA devices as a condition of pretrial release or post-conviction probation.

Supporters said the devices are proven elsewhere and would reduce repeat excessive-speed driving. \"This is a multifaceted crisis that demands a sense of urgency,\" Levitt said, citing statistics in her remarks that speed-related fatalities have increased and that excessive speeding was a contributing factor in hundreds of Washington deaths in recent years.

Family members of crash victims and safety groups gave emotional testimony urging the committee to advance the bill. Ted Smith, speaking about the death of his daughter Andrea Hudson, described a high-speed crash and said, \"We need stiff consequences for these thrill seekers, and we must use any tools available to detect and stop this from happening again.\" Families for Safe Streets and other victim advocacy groups testified in support, saying speed-limiters would be another enforcement and rehabilitation tool.

Law enforcement and prosecutors generally endorsed the idea but flagged implementation questions. Amy Friedheim, a King County prosecutor who has handled felony traffic crimes, called the ISA device “necessary” but urged the bill not to limit courts to ordering devices only where the recorded excess was 20 mph or more above the limit; she said courts should be able to order devices in other high-risk speed circumstances.

Technical and fiscal concerns were raised by the Department of Licensing and by committee staff. Sandy Myers, committee staff, summarized a multi-agency fiscal note noting indeterminate revenue impacts and implementation workloads for the Department of Licensing and Washington State Patrol. Alejandro Sanchez, Deputy Director at the Department of Licensing, told the panel that the department would work with the sponsor to narrow implementation time frames and address IT and data interconnections.

Witnesses also discussed device details in the bill: the ISA must use GPS to limit operation to posted speeds, allow an override only on limited occasions (the draft allows up to three override events per month for passing or safety), and require users to pay installation, leasing and a $21 monthly monitoring fee (with a new revolving account to offset costs for indigent users). The bill excludes commercial motor vehicle operations from ISA requirements.

Committee members asked questions about the device’s override (“red button”), the fiscal note and parallels to ignition interlock programs for alcohol. Representative Griffey asked whether the system could be run through courts rather than licensing to reduce DOL workload; Levitt said other states’ implementation shows varied approaches and that sponsors will continue to refine the fiscal plan. Levitt defended the limited override function as necessary for occasional safety maneuvers.

No final vote or committee action occurred during the hearing. Committee staff said they would take additional testimony and follow-up information on implementation costs and comparative data from jurisdictions already using ISA technology.

Ending — The committee closed public testimony on HB 1596 after multiple proponents and opponents presented testimony; no amendment or final action was taken at that hearing. The bill as drafted sets an effective date of Jan. 1 of the following year if enacted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Transportation - 1/30/2025 4:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","OLYMPIA — The House Transportation Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1596, a proposal to let courts and the Department of Licensing require \"intelligent speed assistance\" (ISA) devices — GPS-based speed limiters — for people whose licenses were suspended after specified excessive-speeding or racing convictions.","taxTitle","Transportation, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20272,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361588,"Committee hears bill to clarify impound procedures, protect vehicle residents from losing shelter",1137,1819000,2956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170555-b1f5d39f3e7fe9de441b1b1a2caf9a7f&start=1819&end=2956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170555-b1f5d39f3e7fe9de441b1b1a2caf9a7f/thumbnail_1819000.jpg","/articles/6361588/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-clarify-impound-procedures-protect-vehicle-residents-from-losing-shelter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361588-54a5e0941246222d5e8be3d2857e17c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150167&Signature=dBvwhhh9Dp~vfqpkJ66i2HxkDalPjBkN1YTPBZHgefORUh~5wj2AzyMKBF0FsgpWhjzqR4sTw5l7xeq5yNWQ0m8XQJkhUHHU~GBpQn3nenIINrH9Twu2uThSK5LOK~33uPTzOTa-u~CQ~7aQL2M4b8pn-EGp0-L5M5v~ZcwUfZPrVWuBeWuxfFNvktwDWpwrK-ylC163i-Ua18Tb93tSXDBA3mBuJRVI-bra1dep~gbI~qfVaceS4gsD7v9vMsfeEByehSUBjoQgy9hM6P2wuaiDKofJ1H0PW4n66zXJiFS6qQOrzQrjP8FsK~JJ6g-VVlmqL9tn~0DW5e4mDxAvfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","OLYMPIA — The House Transportation Committee heard House Bill 1240, a proposal to change towing and impound procedures for vehicles used as residences and to give people living in vehicles clearer and faster access to court hearings and reclaiming their property.

Reverend Bill Krillin Hackett, closing 21 years with the Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness, told the committee vehicle residency is widespread and that impoundment frequently leaves people without shelter. \"There is no comprehensive approach coming from any jurisdiction, let alone the legislature,\" he said in testimony. Advocates described cases where impound fees made recovering a vehicle — and therefore someone’s home and possessions — unaffordable.

Safe-parking program operators and legal-aid groups testified the bill helps low-income vehicle residents preserve housing and livelihoods. Corinna O’Malley, director of a Kirkland safe-parking program, said tow-and-storage fees can trigger a downward spiral for vehicle residents who cannot pay to retrieve their cars. Sarah Nagy, staff attorney at Columbia Legal Services, said the bill aligns towing statutes with state supreme court precedent and gives people a faster route to court: \"This bill gives people a clearer, faster route to the courts.\"

Towing companies and county auditors urged more work on definitions, proof requirements and funding. Chris Zachary, owner of Burns Towing and president of a towing association, said the draft lacks clear proof-of-ownership or proof-that-a-vehicle-is-a-home requirements and predicted large increases in municipal payments to tow companies if vehicles must be retained longer. Zachary estimated payments could range into the millions if storage periods lengthen and asked for a short notice-and-hearing process plus a grant program to cover public costs.

Peter Lukovich of the Towing and Recovery Association of Washington and other towing witnesses asked the committee to study appropriations and the practical costs: depending on extension lengths, Lukovich said some individual storage bills could reach $8,000 per vehicle and that statewide impacts could be significant. County auditors and subagent associations also testified on administrative consequences.

Law enforcement associations recommended tightening notice requirements and clarifying what it means for an officer to know a vehicle is being used as a residence. James McMahon, policy director with the Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, told the committee that officers need clear, practicable criteria for recognizing a vehicle residence and that some sections on reimbursement to tow companies raise concerns.

Legal-aid and civil-rights groups urged reforms to avoid unconstitutional loss of shelter when people cannot afford impound fees. Willa Ronan, constitutional lawyer with the Institute for Justice, testified the fastest way to reduce costs that fall on people is to reduce how long vehicles are held and to speed up court processes.

The committee limited testimony because many people signed in. Multiple speakers asked for interim stakeholder work to resolve costs, timelines and evidentiary standards; towing and law-enforcement groups asked for appropriations or grant programs to cover increased storage and towing fees the bill could trigger for public agencies.

Ending — The hearing closed with the committee taking testimony from dozens of witnesses and no formal vote; sponsors and stakeholders signaled a desire for additional interim work to refine definitions, funding and procedural timelines before further committee action.","OLYMPIA — The House Transportation Committee heard House Bill 1240, a proposal to change towing and impound procedures for vehicles used as residences and to give people living in vehicles clearer and faster access to court hearings and reclaiming their property.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361579,"Committee reviews technical corrections to Department of Licensing statutes and disclosure rules",650,4317000,4967000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170555-b1f5d39f3e7fe9de441b1b1a2caf9a7f&start=4317&end=4967","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170555-b1f5d39f3e7fe9de441b1b1a2caf9a7f/thumbnail_4317000.jpg","/articles/6361579/Washington/Committee-reviews-technical-corrections-to-Department-of-Licensing-statutes-and-disclosure-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361579-a7e5f5601c997883a1717e6b5dc56344/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150167&Signature=NigZdipyOU0079DKQpyK~zbLairkLf1NBXaTthl1h~tFt~0iU6bC~xiYY0nqSA0rp~jA3KSVU6ZZDWKq9wrZvTz6SO1OvKR9GFhYGDXOmP5BlfZV-70uxyDfhlRS5Fom8VQpmLxOm5bbGZP9prXOvz7zkN-oX-YiMzZ6fUixcUSAp4ZBG1ELNrYPrIHITqDRtA2nsEYjaVKVW~-NQqsOLYWNqgK2fPKiEjimWDhKbK9dyOrv7mOiR-VJrzkGA-shjndsEvWhN~5ky2f0mBKet0lMfG2Ga8JzFs1gOSMyP0zZ3Xb0cD2p~ECFTKWRMhHInNroJUFlRRL-kfFBaURTxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","OLYMPIA — The House Transportation Committee was briefed on House Bill 1439, a technical corrections bill that updates multiple Department of Licensing provisions: vehicle and vessel disclosure procedures, odometer disclosure exemptions and timelines, driver improvement interview and formal-hearing procedures, commercial driver-license reporting requirements and special license-plate authority for certain foreign representatives.

Sandy Myers, committee staff, summarized the bill and said it removes a five-day response requirement in vehicle/vessel disclosure requests, makes odometer-exemption year thresholds consistent with federal rules, allows remote driver-improvement hearings and tightens obligations for reporting convictions by commercial-driver-license holders to comply with federal CDL system rules. The bill also repeals authority for honorary consul and some foreign-office special plates in light of a July 2024 directive from the U.S. Office of Foreign Missions.

Representative Adam Birnbaum, prime sponsor, described the measure as a technical update requested by the Department of Licensing to keep state statute aligned with federal rules and agency practice. Alejandro Sanchez, Deputy Director at the Department of Licensing, told the committee the bill keeps Washington in compliance with federal CDL reporting rules (preventing prohibited masking or diversion processes) and that the agency would support the bill.

No fiscal note was requested and the department said it expected no fiscal impact beyond routine implementation. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions; the committee heard one agency representative in support and did not take final action at the hearing.","OLYMPIA — The House Transportation Committee was briefed on House Bill 1439, a technical corrections bill that updates multiple Department of Licensing provisions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361583,"Subagent offices and county auditors back modest fee increases for vehicle transactions",1440,5033000,6473000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170555-b1f5d39f3e7fe9de441b1b1a2caf9a7f&start=5033&end=6473","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170555-b1f5d39f3e7fe9de441b1b1a2caf9a7f/thumbnail_5033000.jpg","/articles/6361583/Washington/Subagent-offices-and-county-auditors-back-modest-fee-increases-for-vehicle-transactions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361583-7d169abbe7a8b5c683ab6ee19d48a58d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150167&Signature=WVLVxXxYeBUVdeIcGRcTxCbhkak3a~PrJlA-Ms-Uaqd5KP6JDdCiK2mIxWmPqcvGYrCO6NE~OdyoITzQTsY9wOoiVKriyMK8-c7caArxzE0YD-E5pSxiVgN8iYzsGuGsZGBzQX~S9RTqCco7p1TbWPM8bVEkGQ2eCVETiqXJnxmASjiYn0~v6WJcM2FUOQMXy99wvY86LA~VeIZLGEGAA-6-vx4PrXZOaryOCkK8-fyhXm2IYwirtKpB2lmSccKXxccb0lgJyB~NXy6J3GmMq96J9D-KVCxMd7w6nXlxm~8~c2HeEavQ8uIDvRwsy4Z5oCzxfk3fxtu7f8tZp98wMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","OLYMPIA — House Bill 1519 would raise service and filing fees for vehicle titling and registration transactions; sponsors and industry witnesses said the modest increases would help subagent offices and counties cover rising wages and operating costs.

Representative Jake Fye, prime sponsor, said the subagent network provides widely distributed customer service across the state and that fees have not kept pace with rising costs since 2019. \"Sub agents deliver critical public services to the state that are sustained by two service fees,\" Fye said in remarks introducing the bill. He described subagents as a cost-effective network that often operates in small communities and on weekends.

Michael Hirsch and Department of Licensing staff briefed the committee on the bill’s fee changes and fiscal impacts. The department said the service fee for title transactions would rise from $15 to $18 and the filing fee for title transactions would increase from $5.50 to $6.50. For registration transactions the draft raises the service fee from $8 to $11 and the filing fee from $4.50 to $6.00. DOL shared revenue estimates: roughly $15.6 million in the 2025–27 fiscal biennium if collections begin in August, with longer full-biennium estimates higher; subagents and counties would also receive revenue from increased fees on transactions they process.

Subagent owners and the Washington Association of Vehicle Sub Agents testified in support. Brenda Peña (Woodinville License Agency) described a career path from trainee to owner and said a small fee increase is needed to keep offices viable and retain trained staff. Brian Cullinane, a Kittitas County subagent, said subagents process nearly 85% of vehicle transactions and that higher fees will help cover rising payroll and operating expenses.

County auditors supported the measure for the filing-fee portion that funds county general funds. Douglas County Auditor Thad Duvall said counties rely on filing fees for general-purpose revenues and urged support while acknowledging DOL’s request for a later implementation date to accommodate IT work and renewal-notice timing.

The Department of Licensing noted an estimated $33,000 in onetime IT costs for updates and said some implementation timing challenges could delay collections until late 2025. Opponents from taxpayer groups urged caution on raising fees broadly but acknowledged the public convenience of subagent offices.

Ending — The committee closed public testimony after several subagents and county auditors spoke in favor of the bill; no vote was recorded at the hearing and the Department of Licensing indicated it favors a later implementation date to reduce IT impacts.","House Bill 1519 would increase service and filing fees for vehicle title and registration transactions to raise revenues for state and county accounts and help vehicle subagent offices cover rising operating costs. Subagents, county auditors and the Department of Licensing discussed estimated revenue, implementation timing and IT costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House committee hears bill to let courts require in-vehicle speed limiters for serious speeders

Committee hears bill to clarify impound procedures, protect vehicle residents from losing shelter

Committee reviews technical corrections to Department of Licensing statutes and disclosure rules

Subagent offices and county auditors back modest fee increases for vehicle transactions