Bill > HB1512

This bill aims to improve traffic safety by establishing new guidelines for traffic stops and creating a grant program to support low-income road users. The bill recognizes the need to focus enforcement resources on leading causes of traffic fatalities, such as impaired and distracted driving, while reducing racial disproportionality in traffic stops. It creates a grant program administered by the state department to support local initiatives that provide solution-oriented responses to nonmoving violations for low-income road users, such as helmet voucher programs, registration fee offset programs, and community education workshops. The bill also establishes new rules for law enforcement traffic stops, limiting primary stops to specific moving violations, criminal code violations, and safety-related equipment issues. Peace officers must now immediately inform drivers of the reason for a stop, limit questioning to the initial reason, and obtain written consent for any searches. Beginning in January 2026, officers must comprehensively report details of each traffic stop, including demographic information, stop duration, and outcome. The legislation defines key terms like "nonmoving violations" and "serious safety risk" and aims to create a more equitable and transparent approach to traffic enforcement that balances safety concerns with individual rights and financial accessibility.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1512&Year=2025&Initiative=false