WA House committee considers traffic stops, train length and per-mile tax

OLYMPIA — Washington legislators are considering a trio of bills that, if passed, would alter what law enforcement officers can do during traffic stops, limit the length of trains in the state, and establish a voluntary pilot program statewide to charge vehicles a per-mile road use tax. During a hearing of the Washington State House of Representatives Transportation Committee on Tuesday, legislators discussed a measure, House Bill 1513, from Rep. Chipalo Street, D-Seattle, that would limit the ability of police officers, sheriff's deputies and Washington State Patrol officers to use traffic stops for non-moving violations like busted tail-lights.