WA People
BILL · 2015–16 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 5656

SB 5656: Distracted driving incidents

Enhancing public safety by reducing distracted driving incidents caused by the use of personal wireless communications devices.

Summary

  • Modifies the current traffic infraction relating to the use of a wireless communications device to prohibit the holding, reading from, and manually entering information into a personal wireless communications device while operating a motor vehicle.
  • Establishes increasing penalties for a person who commits multiple violations of the provisions related to personal wireless communications devices.
  • Requires the driver's license examination to include questions about distracted driving.

From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Analysis 2015 (ESSB 5656), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
  1. IntroducedJan 28, 2015
  2. Out of committeeFeb 27, 2015
  3. Passed SenateMar 10, 2015
  4. Passed Housestopped here
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Senator (R-18)
Introduced
January 28, 2015 in the Senate
Last action
March 10, 2016
Requested by
Other
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5656, ESSB 5656

AN ACT Relating to enhancing public safety by reducing distracted driving incidents caused by the use of personal wireless communications devices;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Senator (R-18)

3 co-sponsors (2 Democrats, 1 Republican)

Maralyn Chase D-32Joe Fain R-47Karen Keiser D-33

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 10, 2015
Version voted on: ESSB 5656
35 Yea 14 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat18600
Republican17800
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

History

  1. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESSB 5656)
  2. Senate Rules "X" file. (ESSB 5656)
  3. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESSB 5656)
  4. Referred to Rules. (ESSB 5656)
  5. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESSB 5656)
  6. Placed on third reading. (ESSB 5656)
  7. Referred to Rules. (ESSB 5656)
  8. Placed on third reading. (ESSB 5656)
  9. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESSB 5656)
  10. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESSB 5656)
  11. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (ESSB 5656)
  12. First reading, referred to Transportation (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report). (ESSB 5656)
  13. Third reading, passed; yeas, 35; nays, 14; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESSB 5656)
  14. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5656)
  15. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5656)
  16. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 5656)
  17. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  18. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5656)
  19. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  20. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 5656)
  21. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 5656)
  22. Minority; without recommendation. (ESSB 5656)
  23. Minority; without recommendation.
  24. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  25. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  26. First reading, referred to Transportation.

SB 5656 in other sessions

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

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