SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1559

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Transportation, March 31, 1999

Title:  An act relating to transportation of explosives.

Brief Description:  Repealing redundant law on transporting explosives.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Fortunato, Murray and McDonald; by request of Washington State Patrol).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  3/25/99, 3/31/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Goings, Vice Chair; Benton, Costa, Eide, Finkbeiner, Horn, Jacobsen, Morton, Oke, Patterson, Sellar, Sheahan, T. Sheldon and Shin.

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

Background:  In 1955, the Legislature established the marking and equipment safety requirements for vehicles transporting explosives.  The vehicle is to be marked with the word "Explosives" on each side and the rear, and a red flag with the words "Danger" in white letters is displayed on the rear of the vehicle.  In addition, the vehicle is to be equipped with two fire extinguishers.

In 1975, the state of Washington adopted the Code of Federal Regulations which governs the transportation of hazardous materials.  The federal rules are more stringent than the current statute and apply to the transportation of hazardous materials in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce by rail car, aircraft, motor vehicle, and vessel.  A universally-recognized placarding system has been implemented that is used in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.  The type and number of fire extinguishers to be carried in the vehicle depends on the type of hazardous material being transported.  Emergency flares, lanterns, reflectors, and reflective triangles are also required.

Summary of Bill:  The obsolete statute that established the vehicle marking and equipment safety requirements for the transportation of explosives is deleted.  In its place, the state will continue to use the federal rules governing the transportation of hazardous materials.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The state has used the universally-recognized Code of Federal Regulations for the transportation of hazardous materials since 1975.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rep. Phil Fortunato, prime sponsor.