ARIZONA STATE SENATE

RESEARCH STAFF

HAILEYAUNNA BLACKMUN

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH INTERN

ZACK DEAN

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST

TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

Telephone: (602) 926 -3171

TO:                  MEMBERS OF THE SENATE

                        TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC

                        SAFETY COMMITTEE

DATE:            February 18, 2019

SUBJECT:      Strike everything amendment to S.B. 1223, relating to 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.