Roger Goodman, Democratic Representative of Kirkland, is heading House Bill 1276 that is aimed at toughening DUI laws. Goodman suggests that Bill 1276 fills DUI law gaps and will strengthen current drunk driving laws. According to lawmakers, the bill’s primary goal is to keep roads safe and to detour repeat DUI offenders.
A lot of different areas of DUI laws are covered in the lengthy bill, with several of the proposals focused on improving the existing ignition interlock devise laws;
- — Requiring the courts to notify the Department of Licensing when a defendant is required to use an ignition interlock device (IID) and notifying officials when restrictions are lifted and;
- — Requiring an IID restricted driver, who has agreed not to drive, to sign an affidavit of non-driving, which must be filed with the court.
Another area of the proposal deals with the marijuana open container law;
- — Making it a traffic infraction for a person to have an open container of marijuana in the main compartment of a vehicle. (The marijuana must be in a closed sealed container from a 502 retailer, and if the marijuana is in a broken sealed container or a non 502 container than the individual shall be cited with a traffic infraction).
At a public hearing held days ago, many legal professionals suggested the bill needs revising and reworking in order to be effective. Bill 1276 is scheduled to be presented at an executive session of the House Committee on Public Safety next Friday