SB 5705 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Improving traffic safety by modifying penalty amounts for certain traffic infractions.

Senate Bill 5705 aims to improve traffic safety by increasing financial penalties for certain traffic infractions in Washington State. The bill imposes double fines for drivers who commit a second or subsequent violation of offenses like following too closely, speeding, or negligent driving within a two-year period. It also establishes an additional fine for drivers found following a "vulnerable user of a public way" too closely. Funds from this specific additional fine will be deposited into a new vulnerable roadway user education account to support awareness programs for law enforcement and the public.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Jan 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Engrossed Bill · 4 edits · Jan 21, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was significantly narrowed in scope to focus exclusively on penalties for using personal electronic devices while driving in specific speed zones, removing unrelated sections on general following distances, speeding, negligent driving, and seatbelt laws. The remaining section on device use was modified to clarify that penalties in school, playground, and crosswalk zones cannot be waived or reduced, and it mandates that half of the collected fines be deposited into a dedicated school zone safety account.

Scope change

The bill's scope was reduced from covering multiple traffic safety topics (following distance, speeding, negligence, seatbelts) to focusing solely on the use of personal electronic devices while driving.

SCOPE

Removed all provisions regarding following distances, speeding limits, negligent driving penalties, and seatbelt requirements.

FISCAL

Added a requirement that 50% of fines collected for device use violations in school, playground, or crosswalk zones must be deposited into a new school zone safety account.

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified that fines for device use in school, playground, or crosswalk zones cannot be waived, reduced, or suspended by the court.

DEFINITION

Retained and clarified the definition of 'personal electronic device' and specific prohibited actions like holding the device or watching video.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 21, 2026

How they voted

51–0

Passed

Total votes 51

Jan 21, 2026

D Democratic31

31 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican20

20 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

TR - Majority; do pass.

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:00 PM.

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

upper

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.

lower

Feb 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Feb 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

TRAN - Majority; do pass.

upper

Feb 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors