Concerning motor vehicle chop shops.

 H-0247.2

HOUSE BILL 1086

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By Representatives Low, Couture, Penner, Leavitt, Barnard, Klicker, Marshall, Paul, Shavers, Eslick, and Rule

Prefiled 12/17/24. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee on Community Safety.

AN ACT Relating to motor vehicle chop shops; reenacting and amending RCW 9.94A.515 ; adding a new section to chapter 9A.56 RCW; creating a new section; prescribing penalties; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that Washington state is in the top rankings for auto thefts in the nation. The legislature further finds that chop shops are prevalent and flourishing, and Washington state does not currently provide law enforcement adequate tools to stop the illegal destruction of cars that profit criminals. The legislature further finds that automobile insurance rates have increased for everyone due to the criminal activity in the state.

Therefore, the legislature intends to implement new provisions to hold criminals accountable and to provide restitution to the victims of these crimes.