Fruits Of Legislature’s Last Session Taking Effect New Laws Govern Smokers, Motorists, Juveniles

Chainsmoking truck drivers who flick their cigarettes out the window, drive in the fast lane and illegally pass school buses would face stiffer penalties under new Washington state laws taking effect this weekend.

State lawmakers approved about 450 bills during the session that ended in late April, and nearly 350 of the new laws take effect Sunday.

They run the gamut from the strong-armed - such as tougher penalties for criminals - to the light-hearted, such as designation of an official state insect.

This year, lawmakers decided to crack down on people with the irritating habit of flicking cigarettes out of car windows or just dropping the butts where they’re standing.

Under House Bill 1429, the maximum penalty for discarding cigarettes and other tobacco products capable of starting a fire is boosted tenfold, from $50 to $500.

Motorists should have a clearer view of the road now that drivers of vehicles over 10,000 pounds, including trailers, are barred from using the left lane on some sections of interstate highways.

That law applies on highways with three or more lanes in one direction, primarily Interstate 5, portions of I-90 and I-405 in King and Snohomish counties, and portions of I-90 in Spokane.

“We realize that to share the road safely with automobiles, we must occasionally give them some extra space,” said Larry Pursley, president of the Washington Trucking Association.

Other new laws affecting motorists double the penalty to $160 for passing a school bus that is picking up or letting off students, set the distance a vehicle may travel in a center turn lane at 300 feet and expand the use of court-ordered “ignition interlocks,” devices that prohibit motorists from starting their cars if alcohol is detected on their breath.

The Legislature also got tougher on criminals.

It boosted penalties for rape and other sex crimes. Rape of a child has been added to the list of crimes that fall under the “two strikes and you’re out” law and are punishable by life in prison without parole.

The Legislature also doubled the penalties for drug crimes committed around housing projects and revised laws dealing with explosives due to concerns about recent incidents involving bombs and fake bombs.

Lawmakers increased the penalties for malicious use of explosives, added new degrees for crimes with an element of terrorism and made it a crime to place fake bombs.

Legislators also attempted to improve school safety with a bill that raises penalties for people who refuse to leave school grounds or commit vandalism. The law also allows school districts to prohibit gang-related clothing and limits possession of pagers and cellular telephones.

Parents and students will also want to know that tuition at state universities is going up 4 percent in each of the next two years.

On the lighter side, the common green darner dragon fly has been named the state’s official insect, joining the official tree, bird, flower, etc.

And, finally, those who forget to bring their checkbooks when they go into state liquor stores may be happy to know a new law allows the stores to accept credit and debit cards. Cheers.