WA Rev Code § 46.63.110 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 46 - Motor Vehicles|Chapter 46.63 - Disposition of Traffic Infractions.|46.63.110 - Monetary penalties.

RCW 46.63.110 Monetary penalties. (Effective until January 1, 2023.)(1) A person found to have committed a traffic infraction shall be assessed a monetary penalty. No penalty may exceed two hundred and fifty dollars for each offense unless authorized by this chapter or title.(2) The monetary penalty for a violation of (a) RCW 46.55.105(2) is two hundred fifty dollars for each offense; (b) RCW 46.61.210(1) is five hundred dollars for each offense. No penalty assessed under this subsection (2) may be reduced.(3) The supreme court shall prescribe by rule a schedule of monetary penalties for designated traffic infractions. This rule shall also specify the conditions under which local courts may exercise discretion in assessing fines and penalties for traffic infractions. The legislature respectfully requests the supreme court to adjust this schedule every two years for inflation.(4) There shall be a penalty of twenty-five dollars for failure to respond to a notice of traffic infraction except where the infraction relates to parking as defined by local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution or failure to pay a monetary penalty imposed pursuant to this chapter. A local legislative body may set a monetary penalty not to exceed twenty-five dollars for failure to respond to a notice of traffic infraction relating to parking as defined by local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution. The local court, whether a municipal, police, or district court, shall impose the monetary penalty set by the local legislative body.(5) Monetary penalties provided for in chapter 46.70 RCW which are civil in nature and penalties which may be assessed for violations of chapter 46.44 RCW relating to size, weight, and load of motor vehicles are not subject to the limitation on the amount of monetary penalties which may be imposed pursuant to this chapter.(6) Whenever a monetary penalty, fee, cost, assessment, or other monetary obligation is imposed by a court under this chapter, it is immediately payable and is enforceable as a civil judgment under Title 6 RCW. If the court determines, in its discretion, that a person is not able to pay a monetary obligation in full, and not more than one year has passed since the later of July 1, 2005, or the date the monetary obligation initially became due and payable, the court shall enter into a payment plan with the person, unless the person has previously been granted a payment plan with respect to the same monetary obligation, or unless the person is in noncompliance of any existing or prior payment plan, in which case the court may, at its discretion, implement a payment plan. If the court has notified the department that the person has failed to pay or comply and the person has subsequently entered into a payment plan and made an initial payment, the court shall notify the department that the infraction has been adjudicated, and the department shall rescind any suspension of the person's driver's license or driver's privilege based on failure to respond to that infraction. "Payment plan," as used in this section, means a plan that requires reasonable payments based on the financial ability of the person to pay. The person may voluntarily pay an amount at any time in addition to the payments required under the payment plan.(a) If a payment required to be made under the payment plan is delinquent or the person fails to complete a community restitution program on or before the time established under the payment plan, unless the court determines good cause therefor and adjusts the payment plan or the community restitution plan accordingly, the court may refer the unpaid monetary penalty, fee, cost, assessment, or other monetary obligation for civil enforcement until all monetary obligations, including those imposed under subsections (3) and (4) of this section, have been paid, and court authorized community restitution has been completed, or until the court has entered into a new time payment or community restitution agreement with the person. For those infractions subject to suspension under RCW 46.20.289, the court shall notify the department of the person's failure to meet the conditions of the plan, and the department shall suspend the person's driver's license or driving privileges.(b) If a person has not entered into a payment plan with the court and has not paid the monetary obligation in full on or before the time established for payment, the court may refer the unpaid monetary penalty, fee, cost, assessment, or other monetary obligation to a collections agency until all monetary obligations have been paid, including those imposed under subsections (3) and (4) of this section, or until the person has entered into a payment plan under this section. For those infractions subject to suspension under RCW 46.20.289, the court shall notify the department of the person's delinquency, and the department shall suspend the person's driver's license or driving privileges.(c) If the payment plan is to be administered by the court, the court may assess the person a reasonable administrative fee to be wholly retained by the city or county with jurisdiction. The administrative fee shall not exceed ten dollars per infraction or twenty-five dollars per payment plan, whichever is less.(d) Nothing in this section precludes a court from contracting with outside entities to administer its payment plan system. When outside entities are used for the administration of a payment plan, the court may assess the person a reasonable fee for such administrative services, which fee may be calculated on a periodic, percentage, or other basis.(e) If a court authorized community restitution program for offenders is available in the jurisdiction, the court may allow conversion of all or part of the monetary obligations due under this section to court authorized community restitution in lieu of time payments if the person is unable to make reasonable time payments.(7) In addition to any other penalties imposed under this section and not subject to the limitation of subsection (1) of this section, a person found to have committed a traffic infraction shall be assessed:(a) A fee of five dollars per infraction. Under no circumstances shall this fee be reduced or waived. Revenue from this fee shall be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the emergency medical services and trauma care system trust account under RCW 70.168.040;(b) A fee of ten dollars per infraction. Under no circumstances shall this fee be reduced or waived. Revenue from this fee shall be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the Washington auto theft prevention authority account; and(c) A fee of five dollars per infraction. Under no circumstances shall this fee be reduced or waived. Revenue from this fee shall be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the traumatic brain injury account established in RCW 74.31.060.(8)(a) In addition to any other penalties imposed under this section and not subject to the limitation of subsection (1) of this section, a person found to have committed a traffic infraction other than of RCW 46.61.527 or 46.61.212 shall be assessed an additional penalty of twenty dollars. The court may not reduce, waive, or suspend the additional penalty unless the court finds the offender to be indigent. If a court authorized community restitution program for offenders is available in the jurisdiction, the court shall allow offenders to offset all or a part of the penalty due under this subsection (8) by participation in the court authorized community restitution program.(b) Eight dollars and fifty cents of the additional penalty under (a) of this subsection shall be remitted to the state treasurer. The remaining revenue from the additional penalty must be remitted under chapters 2.08, 3.46, 3.50, 3.62, 10.82, and 35.20 RCW. Money remitted under this subsection to the state treasurer must be deposited in the state general fund. The balance of the revenue received by the county or city treasurer under this subsection must be deposited into the county or city current expense fund. Moneys retained by the city or county under this subsection shall constitute reimbursement for any liabilities under RCW 43.135.060.(9) If a legal proceeding, such as garnishment, has commenced to collect any delinquent amount owed by the person for any penalty imposed by the court under this section, the court may, at its discretion, enter into a payment plan.(10) The monetary penalty for violating RCW 46.37.395 is: (a) Two hundred fifty dollars for the first violation; (b) five hundred dollars for the second violation; and (c) seven hundred fifty dollars for each violation thereafter.(11) The additional monetary penalty for a violation of RCW 46.20.500 is not subject to assessments or fees provided under this section.(12) The additional monetary fine for a violation of RCW 46.61.110, 46.61.145, 46.61.180, 46.61.185, 46.61.190, and 46.61.205 is not subject to assessments or fees provided under this section.(13) The additional monetary penalties for a violation of RCW 46.61.165 are not subject to assessments or fees provided under this section.[ 2019 c 467 § 4; 2019 c 403 § 13; 2019 c 181 § 1; 2019 c 65 § 7; 2012 c 82 § 1; 2010 c 252 § 5; 2009 c 479 § 39. Prior: 2007 c 356 § 8; 2007 c 199 § 28; prior: 2005 c 413 § 2; 2005 c 320 § 2; 2005 c 288 § 8; 2003 c 380 § 2; prior: 2002 c 279 § 15; 2002 c 175 § 36; 2001 c 289 § 2; 1997 c 331 § 3; 1993 c 501 § 11; 1986 c 213 § 2; 1984 c 258 § 330; prior: 1982 1st ex.s. c 14 § 4; 1982 1st ex.s. c 12 § 1; 1982 c 10 § 13; prior: 1981 c 330 § 7; 1981 c 19 § 6; 1980 c 128 § 4; 1979 ex.s. c 136 § 13.]NOTES:Rules of court: Monetary penalty schedule—IRLJ 6.2.Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2019 c 65 § 7, 2019 c 181 § 1, 2019 c 403 § 13, and by 2019 c 467 § 4, without reference to one another. All amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).Finding—Intent—2019 c 467: See note following RCW 46.20.289.Finding—Intent—Effective date—2019 c 403: See notes following RCW 46.04.071.Finding—Effective date—2019 c 65: See notes following RCW 46.81A.020.Effective date—Contingency—2012 c 82: "Except for section 4 of this act, this act takes effect June 1, 2013. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2012, in the transportation appropriations act, this act is null and void." [ 2012 c 82 § 6.] Funding was provided in the transportation appropriations act (section 208(15), chapter 86, Laws of 2012).Effective date—2010 c 252: See note following RCW 46.61.212.Effective date—2009 c 479: See note following RCW 2.56.030.Short title—2007 c 356: See note following RCW 74.31.005.Findings—Intent—Short title—2007 c 199: See notes following RCW 9A.56.065.Effective date—2005 c 288: See note following RCW 46.20.245.Effective date—2002 c 175: See note following RCW 7.80.130.Effective date—1997 c 331: See note following RCW 70.168.135.Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Intent—1984 c 258: See note following RCW 3.34.130.Effective date—Severability—1982 1st ex.s. c 14: See notes following RCW 46.63.060.Severability—1982 c 10: See note following RCW 6.13.080.Severability—1981 c 330: See note following RCW 3.62.060.Severability—1981 c 19: See note following RCW 46.63.020.Effective date—Severability—1980 c 128: See notes following RCW 46.63.060.Effective date—Severability—1979 ex.s. c 136: See notes following RCW 46.63.010.Additional statutory assessments: RCW 3.62.090, 46.64.055.RCW 46.63.110Monetary penalties. (Effective January 1, 2023.)(1)(a) A person found to have committed a traffic infraction shall be assessed a monetary penalty. No penalty may exceed two hundred and fifty dollars for each offense unless authorized by this chapter or title.(b) The court may waive or remit any monetary penalty, fee, cost, assessment, or other monetary obligation associated with a traffic infraction unless the specific monetary obligation in question is prohibited from being waived or remitted by state law.(2) The monetary penalty for a violation of (a) RCW 46.55.105(2) is two hundred fifty dollars for each offense; (b) RCW 46.61.210(1) is five hundred dollars for each offense. No penalty assessed under this subsection (2) may be reduced.(3) The supreme court shall prescribe by rule a schedule of monetary penalties for designated traffic infractions. This rule shall also specify the conditions under which local courts may exercise discretion in assessing fines and penalties for traffic infractions. The legislature respectfully requests the supreme court to adjust this schedule every two years for inflation.(4) There shall be a penalty of twenty-five dollars for failure to respond to a notice of traffic infraction except where the infraction relates to parking as defined by local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution or failure to pay a monetary penalty imposed pursuant to this chapter. A local legislative body may set a monetary penalty not to exceed twenty-five dollars for failure to respond to a notice of traffic infraction relating to parking as defined by local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution. The local court, whether a municipal, police, or district court, shall impose the monetary penalty set by the local legislative body.(5) Monetary penalties provided for in chapter 46.70 RCW which are civil in nature and penalties which may be assessed for violations of chapter 46.44 RCW relating to size, weight, and load of motor vehicles are not subject to the limitation on the amount of monetary penalties which may be imposed pursuant to this chapter.(6) Whenever a monetary penalty, fee, cost, assessment, or other monetary obligation is imposed by a court under this chapter, it is immediately payable and is enforceable as a civil judgment under Title 6 RCW. If the court determines that a person is not able to pay a monetary obligation in full, the court shall enter into a payment plan with the person in accordance with RCW 46.63.190 and standards that may be set out in court rule.(7) In addition to any other penalties imposed under this section and not subject to the limitation of subsection (1) of this section, a person found to have committed a traffic infraction shall be assessed:(a) A fee of five dollars per infraction. Under no circumstances shall this fee be reduced or waived. Revenue from this fee shall be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the emergency medical services and trauma care system trust account under RCW 70.168.040;(b) A fee of ten dollars per infraction. Under no circumstances shall this fee be reduced or waived. Revenue from this fee shall be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the Washington auto theft prevention authority account; and(c) A fee of five dollars per infraction. Under no circumstances shall this fee be reduced or waived. Revenue from this fee shall be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the traumatic brain injury account established in RCW 74.31.060.(8)(a) In addition to any other penalties imposed under this section and not subject to the limitation of subsection (1) of this section, a person found to have committed a traffic infraction other than of RCW 46.61.527 or 46.61.212 shall be assessed an additional penalty of $24. The court may not reduce, waive, or suspend the additional penalty unless the court finds the offender to be indigent. If a court authorized community restitution program for offenders is available in the jurisdiction, the court shall allow offenders to offset all or a part of the penalty due under this subsection (8) by participation in the court authorized community restitution program.(b) $12.50 of the additional penalty under (a) of this subsection shall be remitted to the state treasurer. The remaining revenue from the additional penalty must be remitted under chapters 2.08, 3.46, 3.50, 3.62, 10.82, and 35.20 RCW. Money remitted under this subsection to the state treasurer must be deposited as follows: $8.50 in the state general fund and $4 in the driver licensing technology support account created under RCW 46.68.067. The moneys deposited into the driver licensing technology support account must be used to support information technology systems used by the department to communicate with the judicial information system, manage driving records, and implement court orders. The balance of the revenue received by the county or city treasurer under this subsection must be deposited into the county or city current expense fund. Moneys retained by the city or county under this subsection shall constitute reimbursement for any liabilities under RCW 43.135.060.(9) If a legal proceeding, such as garnishment, has commenced to collect any delinquent amount owed by the person for any penalty imposed by the court under this section, the person may request a payment plan pursuant to RCW 46.63.190.(10) The monetary penalty for violating RCW 46.37.395 is: (a) Two hundred fifty dollars for the first violation; (b) five hundred dollars for the second violation; and (c) seven hundred fifty dollars for each violation thereafter.(11) The additional monetary penalty for a violation of RCW 46.20.500 is not subject to assessments or fees provided under this section.(12) The additional monetary fine for a violation of RCW 46.61.110, 46.61.145, 46.61.180, 46.61.185, 46.61.190, and 46.61.205 is not subject to assessments or fees provided under this section.(13) The additional monetary penalties for a violation of RCW 46.61.165 are not subject to assessments or fees provided under this section.[ 2021 c 240 § 3. Prior: 2019 c 467 § 4; 2019 c 403 § 13; 2019 c 181 § 1; 2019 c 65 § 7; 2012 c 82 § 1; 2010 c 252 § 5; 2009 c 479 § 39; prior: 2007 c 356 § 8; 2007 c 199 § 28; prior: 2005 c 413 § 2; 2005 c 320 § 2; 2005 c 288 § 8; 2003 c 380 § 2; prior: 2002 c 279 § 15; 2002 c 175 § 36; 2001 c 289 § 2; 1997 c 331 § 3; 1993 c 501 § 11; 1986 c 213 § 2; 1984 c 258 § 330; prior: 1982 1st ex.s. c 14 § 4; 1982 1st ex.s. c 12 § 1; 1982 c 10 § 13; prior: 1981 c 330 § 7; 1981 c 19 § 6; 1980 c 128 § 4; 1979 ex.s. c 136 § 13.]NOTES:Rules of court: Monetary penalty schedule—IRLJ 6.2.Effective date—2021 c 240: See note following RCW 46.63.060.Finding—Intent—2019 c 467: See note following RCW 46.20.289.Finding—Intent—Effective date—2019 c 403: See notes following RCW 46.04.071.Finding—Effective date—2019 c 65: See notes following RCW 46.81A.020.Effective date—Contingency—2012 c 82: "Except for section 4 of this act, this act takes effect June 1, 2013. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2012, in the transportation appropriations act, this act is null and void." [ 2012 c 82 § 6.] Funding was provided in the transportation appropriations act (section 208(15), chapter 86, Laws of 2012).Effective date—2010 c 252: See note following RCW 46.61.212.Effective date—2009 c 479: See note following RCW 2.56.030.Short title—2007 c 356: See note following RCW 74.31.005.Findings—Intent—Short title—2007 c 199: See notes following RCW 9A.56.065.Effective date—2005 c 288: See note following RCW 46.20.245.Effective date—2002 c 175: See note following RCW 7.80.130.Effective date—1997 c 331: See note following RCW 70.168.135.Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.Intent—1984 c 258: See note following RCW 3.34.130.Effective date—Severability—1982 1st ex.s. c 14: See notes following RCW 46.63.060.Severability—1982 c 10: See note following RCW 6.13.080.Severability—1981 c 330: See note following RCW 3.62.060.Severability—1981 c 19: See note following RCW 46.63.020.Effective date—Severability—1980 c 128: See notes following RCW 46.63.060.Effective date—Severability—1979 ex.s. c 136: See notes following RCW 46.63.010.Additional statutory assessments: RCW 3.62.090, 46.64.055.