OLYMPIA – Carol Amisson came to the Capitol on Monday to tell lawmakers why she has been crying for the past three years.
They listened as she told the story of her daughter, Courtney Amisson, who died in 2002 when a loose stereo speaker struck the back of her head during a car accident.
“If a law would have been in effect on Nov. 14, 2002, Courtney would have been alive today,” Amisson said at a hearing Monday.
Once again, friends and family of the deceased Snohomish teen asked the House Transportation Committee to pass Courtney’s Law.
The law, introduced by Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, would require that all vehicle stereo speakers be bolted down. He submitted an identical bill that passed the House last year, but it died in the then-Republican-controlled Senate Transportation Committee.
“This bill will save lives, heal a community and heal a family,” said Dunshee, who testified before the committee.
Six Snohomish High School students also urged legislators to support the bill.
“It kills me to say that we lost a good friend because a few dollars weren’t spent on nuts and bolts,” said Kyle Scott, a senior.
While the majority of lawmakers were receptive to the new bill, Rep. Richard Curtis, R-La Center, lashed out against it.
“Do we currently restrict a box of fruit in the back seat of a vehicle? Do we currently restrict a box of fruit in the back of a pickup? I’m just curious as to what point we’re going start restricting everything in a vehicle that has to be tied down.”
His comments upset the bill’s supporters.
“I wish it was just a box of fruit,” Amisson said. “But it was a 56-pound speaker that hit my daughter.”
Despite opposition from Curtis, Dunshee is confident the bill will reach the House floor for a vote. He said that changes in the Senate would help it pass.
As of Monday, no vote was scheduled for the bill.
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