This bill modifies existing Washington driver licensing law to expand and implement an ignition interlock driver's license program for people convicted of specified alcoholor drug-related driving offenses. It requires applicants to show a functioning ignition interlock device is installed on all vehicles they operate, allows the department to restrict driving to only those interlock-equipped vehicles, links ignition interlock licenses to remaining portions of concurrent or consecutive suspensions from the same incident, and requires proof of financial responsibility under chapter 46.29 RCW. The director must cancel an ignition interlock license on notice of conviction for violations of the license restrictions, loss of eligibility, or offenses that would suspend or revoke a regular license; cancellation notices are sent by first-class mail and submission of proof of reinstallation before cancellation takes effect will stay the cancellation. A cancelled license holder may obtain a new ignition interlock license at no additional charge upon showing devices are installed on all vehicles they operate. The bill establishes fee and assistance procedures: applicants must pay installation, removal, and leasing costs unless the interlock company waives them or the person is indigent under RCW 10.101.010, and must pay an additional $21 per month to the interlock company. Interlock companies remit that fee to the department but may retain $0.25 per month for administration. Proceeds are deposited into an ignition interlock device revolving account that may be used only to administer and operate the program. The department must adopt rules to provide monetary assistance based on greatest need when funds are available, limiting assistance for an indigent person to installation, removal, and leasing for no more than two vehicles per person or, if more practicable, two vehicles per household. The department must adopt implementing rules in consultation with the administrative office of the courts, the state patrol, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, interlock companies, and others the department deems appropriate. A person originally charged under certain statutes but convicted under related statutes may apply for an ignition interlock license, and an otherwise eligible person without a current license may be required to take licensing exams and apply for a temporary restricted license under RCW 46.20.391. Legally, the changes are amendments to existing statutes (including RCW 46.20.385 and related sections) creating procedural changes to licensing, fee collection, and a limited financial-assistance program; the provided extracts do not show any new crimes or changes to criminal penalties. Section 1 of the act expires January 1, 2026, and Section 2 takes effect January 1, 2026. The excerpts are incomplete in places (a section ends mid-sentence, the department is not named in the extracts, and a duplicate RCW citation appears), and full rulemaking details and some implementation specifics are not included here.

People convicted of certain alcoholor drug-related driving offenses can likely keep driving by getting an ignition interlock driver's license but will have to have a working interlock on every vehicle they use, pay installation/removal/lease costs and a $21 monthly fee (companies may keep $0.25 of that fee). The department will collect those fees into a revolving account used only to run the program, must make rules to offer limited financial help to indigent people (covering no more than two vehicles per person or household), and can limit or cancel licenses if the device is removed or restrictions are violated; drivers get written notice and a chance to show reinstallation before cancellation, and can get a new interlock license at no charge once they show a device is installed. The people most affected are convicted drivers who gain an option to continue driving but face added out-of-pocket costs and compliance requirements, ignition interlock companies that will collect and remit fees and may keep a small administrative allowance, and the department which gains new rulemaking and program-administration responsibilities funded by the monthly fees. Important details are missing from the extracted text—such as the department’s specific identity, the complete list of qualifying offenses, and the exact rulemaking criteria—so timing, eligibility nuances, and practical administration remain somewhat uncertain (Section 1 expires January 1, 2026, and Section 2 takes effect January 1, 2026).