WA People
BILL · 2009–10 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 6231

SB 6231: Vehicles in emergency zones

Implementing rules and penalties for drivers when approaching certain emergency, roadside assistance, or police vehicles in emergency zones.

Summary

  • Defines an emergency zone as the area 200 feet before and after a stationary emergency vehicle, a tow truck, an emergency assistance vehicle, or a police vehicle utilizing its respective signal lights or sirens.
  • Requires motorists to observe the speed limit in an emergency zone, and doubles the normal fine for motorists that do not.
  • Creates the crime of reckless endangerment of emergency zone workers, a violation of which is a gross misdemeanor and also subjects an individual to an automatic 60-day driver's license suspension.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 6231), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
  1. IntroducedJan 11, 2010
  2. Out of committeeJan 21, 2010
  3. Passed SenateFeb 8, 2010
  4. Passed Housestopped here
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Chris Marr (D-6)
Introduced
January 11, 2010 in the Senate
Last action
March 15, 2010
Requested by
State agency
Companion bill
HB 2464
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 6231, SSB 6231

AN ACT Relating to approaching certain emergency, roadside assistance, or police vehicles in emergency zones;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Chris Marr (D-6)

6 co-sponsors (3 Democrats, 3 Republicans)

Curtis King R-14Tracey Eide D-30Jerome Delvin R-8Joseph Zarelli R-18Paull Shin D-21Rodney Tom D-48

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 8, 2010
Version voted on: SSB 6231
45 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 4 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30001
Republican15003
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

History

  1. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (SSB 6231)
  2. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (SSB 6231)
  3. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 6231)
  4. TR - Executive action taken by committee. (SSB 6231)
  5. TR - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SSB 6231)
  6. First reading, referred to Transportation. (SSB 6231)
  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4. (SSB 6231)
  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 6231)
  9. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 6231)
  10. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  11. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 6231)
  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  13. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 6231)
  14. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 6231)
  15. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  16. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  17. First reading, referred to Transportation.
  18. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 6231 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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