Legislative Update

AAA supports the needs of our members through lobbying efforts and programs to inform the public of issues that might effect them as motorists.

Washington

The Washington Legislature completed a 30-day special session in the early morning hours of April 13. Gov. Chris Gregoire had called lawmakers back into session to reach agreement on a plan to raise $800 million to balance the state’s General Fund budget which runs through July 1, 2011. During the 60-day regular session, legislators passed several significant transportation and traffic safety bills:

• SB 6392 authorizes the state to begin using tolling dollars to pay for eastside projects in the S.R. 520 corridor as the state moves forward with plans for replacing the 520 bridge. Tolling is expected to begin on the existing 520 span in the spring of 2011.
• SB 6499 addresses the administration, collection and enforcement issues associated with tolling on SR 520 and all future tolling projects in the state.
• SB 6577 adds economic vitality to the list of statewide transportation system policy goals whose purpose is to facilitate the efficient statewide movement of freight, creation of business and job opportunities, and benefits of tourism.
• SB 6345 allows enforcement of Washington’s ban on handheld cell phone use and text messaging while driving on a primary basis rather than a secondary basis. When the law goes into effect on June 10, police will be able to pull over a driver strictly for the purpose of issuing a citation for violating the cell phone/text messaging ban. The bill also prohibits the use of any wireless communications device by drivers under the age of 18 while operating a motor vehicle.
• HB 2941 would have directed the Washington State Department of Transportation to develop, operate and evaluate the concept of "Express Toll Lanes" on I-405 from Bellevue north to I-5. Although this measure was introduced late in the session and failed to pass, the state will begin moving forward to implement its provisions by transferring previously allocated transportation funding dollars from projects that have come in below cost estimates to help pay for it.
• HB 2464 establishes penalties for speeding and reckless driving in what the bill defines as an "emergency zone," or adjacent lanes of a roadway 200 feet before and after a stationary emergency or roadside assistance vehicle. Violators will be subject to penalties twice the monetary amount normally imposed. In addition, driving in a manner that endangers an emergency zone worker or property can result in a 60-day license suspension. This law goes into effect on January 6, 2011.
• SB 6363 requires that a driver who fails to stop for a pedestrian or bicyclist within a crosswalk that is marked with school or playground speed zone signs be given twice the scheduled penalty for the infraction. The doubling of the fine also applies to a driver in a school or playground speed zone who fails to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian or failing to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian or bicyclist. This law becomes effective on July 1.
• HB 1966 makes drivers who fail to take all necessary precautions liable for damages for any injury caused to wheelchair users. It also makes it unlawful for a driver to enter a crosswalk when a wheelchair user is in the crosswalk. The effective date of this measure is August 1.
• SB 6712 was passed during the special session. It extends from January 1, 2011 to July 1, 2015 the sales and use tax exemption for new passenger cars, light duty trucks and medium duty passenger vehicles exclusively powered by a clean alternative fuel.

Idaho

Several traffic safety measures were introduced in the 2010 session in Boise, but none of them passed:

• HB 729 would have made text messaging while driving a primary infraction.
• SB 1352 would have required that sending a text message while operating a motor vehicle result in a charge of "inattentive driving."
• SB 1264 would have prohibited the use of handheld cell phones while driving.
• SB 1259 would have prohibited the use of any wireless communications device by a motorist while driving in a school zone.
• SB 1336 would have established provisions for securing and covering vehicle loads.

You Can Make a Difference!

Legislators like to hear from their constituents. Since you help elect, or not elect them, legislators listen to what you have to say!

The links on this page will allow you to navigate the respective states' legislative pages to find out who your legislators are if you don't already know, how to contact them, obtain general information about the legislature and the legislative process, look up information on specific bills and votes, locate committee schedules and agendas, and request legislative documents. You can even sign up to get updates on the status of any bills you have a particular interest in when the legislatures are in session.

Both states have Legislative information Centers whose main purpose is to provide a link between legislators and their constituents. You can telephone or email the information centers to leave messages for your legislators or questions you may have about bills or laws.

The following is the contact information for each Legislative Information Center:

AAA is active in the legislative arena to ensure that the best interests of the motoring public are heard and considered as public policy is formulated. We encourage you to get involved in the legislative process in your state!

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