FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1448

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

C 383 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Granting tribal authorities limited control over speed limits on nonlimited access state highways within tribal reservation boundaries.

Sponsors: Representatives Hurst, Roach, Simpson, McCoy, Sullivan, Hunt, Goodman, Appleton, Ormsby and Nelson.

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

Maximum speed limits are established in statute as follows:

The Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) may decrease speed limits on state highways under certain conditions. The Secretary may also increase speeds on any highway up to 70 miles per hour under certain conditions.

The Secretary has sole authority to fix speed limits on limited access state highways including portions that run through a city or town.

Local authorities may change speed limits on highways in their jurisdictions to a speed limit that is safe and reasonable under existing conditions based on engineering and traffic investigations. They may decrease the limit at intersections, increase the limits to a maximum of 60 miles per hour, and decrease the limit to not less than 20 miles per hour. Any altered speed limit is effective when appropriate signs giving notice of the new speed are erected and the change has been approved by the Secretary.

Summary:

Tribal authorities may change speed limits on non-limited access state highways within the boundaries of the tribe’s reservation under certain conditions.  A change to a speed limit must be based on engineering and traffic investigations.  Speeds may be decreased at intersections. Speeds may not go above 60 miles per hour or below 20 miles per hour.  A change is not effective until it is approved by the Secretary and appropriate signs have been posted giving notice of the change. If the change is for non-limited access state highways that are also part of city streets, the change must also be approved by the local government before it is effective.

Votes on Final Passage:

House

94

0

Senate

40

5

(Senate amended)

House

95

2

(House concurred)

Effective:

July 26, 2009