WA People
BILL · 2017–18 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESHB 1371

HB 1371: Distracted driving

Modifying the infraction of and penalties for distracted driving.

Summary

  • Creates a new traffic infraction, beginning January 1, 2018, that prohibits a person from using a personal electronic device while driving a motor vehicle on a public highway.
  • Applies to holding a device in either hand, and also the use of a hand or finger to compose, send, read, view, access, browse, transmit, save, or retrieve email, text messages, instant messages, photographs, or other electronic data.
  • Establishes a new traffic infraction of driving dangerously distracted, that includes any activity not related to the actual operation of a motor vehicle that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle and can only be enforced as a secondary action.

From the Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill Report (ESHB 1371), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed House, stalled in Senate
  1. IntroducedJan 18, 2017
  2. Out of committeeFeb 17, 2017
  3. Passed HouseMar 7, 2017
  4. Passed Senatestopped here
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Jessyn Farrell (D-46)
Introduced
January 18, 2017 in the House
Last action
January 8, 2018
Companion bill
SB 5289
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 1371, ESHB 1371

AN ACT Relating to updating the distracted driving infraction;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Jessyn Farrell (D-46)

15 co-sponsors (13 Democrats, 2 Republicans)

John Lovick D-44Larry Haler R-8Paul Harris R-17Judy Clibborn D-41Tina Orwall D-33Ruth Kagi D-32June Robinson D-38Sherry Appleton D-23Cindy Ryu D-32Roger Goodman D-45Gael Tarleton D-36Mia Gregerson D-33Mike Sells D-38Timm Ormsby D-3Eileen Cody D-34

Votes

House · Final Passage

Passed March 7, 2017
Version voted on: ESHB 1371
52 Yea 45 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat49100
Republican34401
How each member voted

Yea (52)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Referred to Transportation. (ESHB 1371)
  2. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. (ESHB 1371)
  3. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESHB 1371)
  4. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESHB 1371)
  5. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESHB 1371)
  6. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESHB 1371)
  7. By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading. (ESHB 1371)
  8. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESHB 1371)
  9. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESHB 1371)
  10. Minority; without recommendation. (ESHB 1371)
  11. Minority; do not pass. (ESHB 1371)
  12. TRAN - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (ESHB 1371)
  13. First reading, referred to Transportation. (ESHB 1371)
  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 52; nays, 45; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESHB 1371)
  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESHB 1371)
  16. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESHB 1371)
  17. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESHB 1371)
  18. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  19. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESHB 1371)
  20. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  21. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESHB 1371)
  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  23. TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESHB 1371)
  24. Minority; do not pass. (ESHB 1371)
  25. Minority; without recommendation. (ESHB 1371)
  26. Minority; without recommendation.
  27. Minority; do not pass.
  28. TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  29. First reading, referred to Transportation (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report).

HB 1371 in other sessions

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

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