Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5705: Traffic infraction penalties
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Improving traffic safety by modifying penalty amounts for certain traffic infractions.
What the bill says
An act Relating to unlawful use of a personal electronic device while driving in certain speed zones; amending RCW 46.61.672; and prescribing penalties.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to unlawful use of a personal electronic device while driving in certain speed zones; amending RCW 46.61.672; and prescribing penalties. Sec. 1. RCW 46.61.672 and 2017 c 334 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: (1) A person who uses a personal electronic device while driving a motor vehicle on a public highway is guilty of a traffic infraction and must pay a fine as provided in RCW 46.63.110(3). (2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply (b) The use of a system by a transit system employee for time-sensitive relay communication between the transit system employee and the transit system's dispatch services; (c) An individual employed as a commercial motor vehicle driver who uses a personal electronic device within the scope of such individual's employment if such use is permitted under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 31136 as it existed on July 23, 2017; and (d) A person operating an authorized emergency vehicle. (3) The state preempts the field of regulating the use of personal electronic devices in motor vehicles while driving, and this section supersedes any local laws, ordinances, orders, rules, or regulations enacted by any political subdivision or municipality to regulate the use of a personal electronic device by the operator of a motor vehicle. (4) A second or subsequent offense under this …
Sponsors
- Marko Liias (D) · primary sponsor
- Jeff Holy (R)
- John Lovick (D)
- Curtis King (R)
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Referred to Rules 2 Review.
- : TR - Majority; do pass.
- : Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:00 PM.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
- : First reading, referred to Transportation.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Floor amendment
- : Returned to second reading for amendment.
Votes
- House Committee on Transportation: Do pass (March 2, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (January 21, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 10, 2025): 48 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Transportation: Do pass (February 25, 2025): 18 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: MOTOR VEHICLES
Common questions
- What is SB5705?
- SB5705 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Traffic infraction penalties.
- What does SB5705 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to unlawful use of a personal electronic device while driving in certain speed zones; amending RCW 46.61.672; and prescribing penalties.
- What is the status of SB5705?
- Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5705?
- Marko Liias (D), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5705?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5705&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.