WA People
BILL · 2017–18 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5289

SB 5289: Distracted driving

Modifying the infraction of and penalties for distracted driving.

Summary

  • Replaces current laws that prohibit the use of a hand-held cellular phone and texting while driving with a prohibition on a driver using a personal electronic device with his or her hands while driving to conduct a range of activities.
  • Permits the minimal use of a finger to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function of a personal electronic device while driving.
  • Provides for exceptions to prohibited personal electronic device usage for contacting emergency services; specified uses by transit system employees; activities that are federally authorized for commercial motor vehicle drivers; the operation of an amateur radio station and two-way or citizens band radio services; and the operation of an authorized emergency vehicle.
  • Preempts local laws that restrict the use of electronic devices while driving.
  • Doubles the penalty amount due for personal electronic device use infractions for second and subsequent offenses.
  • Establishes dangerously distracted driving as a secondary traffic infraction, limiting enforcement to when a driver of a motor vehicle has been detained for a suspected violation of a separate traffic infraction.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 5289), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted (partial veto) Enacted with partial veto · Chapter 334, Laws of 2017
  1. IntroducedJan 19, 2017
  2. Out of committeeFeb 23, 2017
  3. Passed SenateMar 6, 2017
  4. Passed HouseApr 12, 2017
  5. Partly vetoedMay 16, 2017
  6. LawMay 16, 2017
Prime sponsor
Senator (R-18)
Introduced
January 19, 2017 in the Senate
Last action
May 16, 2017
Session law
Chapter 334, Laws of 2017
Companion bill
HB 1371
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5289, SSB 5289

AN ACT Relating to updating the distracted driving infraction;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Senator (R-18)

4 co-sponsors (3 Democrats, 1 Republican)

Marko Liias D-21Mark Miloscia R-30Senator D-36Patty Kuderer D-48

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 6, 2017
Version voted on: SSB 5289
36 Yea 13 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat23200
Republican131100
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 12, 2017
Version voted on: SSB 5289
63 Yea 35 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat49100
Republican143400
How each member voted

Yea (63)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 19, 2017
Version voted on: SSB 5289
61 Yea 36 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat48200
Republican133401
How each member voted

Yea (61)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 19, 2017
Version voted on: SSB 5289
39 Yea 10 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat23200
Republican16800
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/23/2017. (SSB 5289)
  2. Chapter 334, 2017 Laws PV. (SSB 5289)
  3. Governor partially vetoed. (SSB 5289)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SSB 5289)
  5. Speaker signed. (SSB 5289)
  6. President signed. (SSB 5289)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 39; nays, 10; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5289)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (SSB 5289)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 61; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SSB 5289)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5289)
  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (SSB 5289)
  12. Returned to second reading for amendment. (SSB 5289)
  13. Rules suspended. (SSB 5289)
  14. House receded from amendments. (SSB 5289)
  15. Senate refuses to concur in House amendments. Asks House to recede from amendments. (SSB 5289)
  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 63; nays, 35; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5289)
  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5289)
  18. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended. (SSB 5289)
  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (SSB 5289)
  20. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5289)
  21. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5289)
  22. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5289)
  23. TR - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SSB 5289)
  24. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SSB 5289)
  25. First reading, referred to Transportation (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report). (SSB 5289)
  26. Third reading, passed; yeas, 36; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5289)
  27. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5289)
  28. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5289)
  29. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  30. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5289)
  31. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  32. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5289)
  33. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  34. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5289)
  35. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5289)
  36. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5289)
  37. Minority; do not pass.
  38. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  39. Minority; without recommendation.
  40. First reading, referred to Transportation.

SB 5289 in other sessions

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

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