The bill seeks to strengthen the Washington Traffic Safety Commission's role in addressing roadway fatalities by designating it as a public health authority focused on preventing motor vehicle collisions that lead to death or serious injury. It introduces new definitions related to traffic safety, such as "bicyclist fatality" and "pedestrian fatality," and establishes a fatality review committee to analyze fatal incidents. The bill also ensures that information from traffic fatality reviews remains confidential and grants the commission immunity from civil liability when conducting these reviews, provided they act in good faith.

Additionally, the bill amends RCW 43.59.156 to create a council dedicated to improving the safety of nonmotorists, including pedestrians and bicyclists. This council, convened by the commission, will consist of various stakeholders and is tasked with reviewing data on fatalities, monitoring safety recommendations, and identifying areas for improvement in the transportation system. The council is required to meet quarterly and produce an annual report for the governor and legislative committees. Notably, references to the "Cooper Jones active transportation safety council" have been removed, and the previous language regarding the inadmissibility of documents prepared for the council in civil proceedings has also been deleted.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 42.56.360, 43.59.010, 43.59.040, 43.59.156