Assigned to TPS                                                                                                                AS PASSED BY COW

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Fourth Legislature, First Regular Session

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1223

written vehicle accident reports

(NOW: written vehicle accident reports; threshold)

Purpose

Increases, from $1,000 to $2,000, the damage threshold at which a law enforcement officer is required to complete a written report of a motor vehicle accident resulting in bodily injury, death or damage to property.

Background

Current statute requires the damages in a motor vehicle accident to be in excess of $1,000 in order for an officer to complete a written report either at the time of and at the scene of the accident or after the accident by interviewing the participants and witnesses or within 24 hours after completing the investigation. When the total damage costs are less than $1,000 and does not result in the issuance of a citation, bodily injury or death, only a portion of the report is required. This portion must be completed either at the time of and at the scene of the accident or after the accident by interviewing the participants and witnesses or within 24 hours after completing the investigation. This portion of the report must include at least following: 1) the time, day, month and year of the accident; 2) information adequate to identify the location of the accident; 3) identifying information for all involved parties and witnesses, including name, age, sex, address, telephone number, vehicle ownership, registration and proof of insurance; and 4) a narrative description of the facts of the accident, a simple diagram of the scene of the accident and the investigating officer's name, agency and identification number (A.R.S. § 28-667).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Increases, from $1,000 to $2,000, the property damage threshold at which a law enforcement officer is required to complete a written report of a motor vehicle accident resulting in bodily injury, death, or damage to property.

2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by Committee

· Adopted the strike-everything amendment.

Senate Action

TPS                 2/20/2019       DPA/SE      8-0-0

3^rd Read          2/27/2019                          30-0-0

Prepared by Senate Research

February 27, 2019

ZD/HB/gs