Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
SSB 6356
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. |
Brief Description: Limiting access to law enforcement and emergency equipment and vehicles.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Swecker, Rockefeller and Kastama).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/18/10
Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).
Background:
Under current law, a public agency may not sell or donate emergency vehicle lighting or other emergency equipment to a person who may not lawfully operate the lighting or other equipment on the public streets and highways.
Summary of Bill:
Prior to selling or giving an emergency vehicle to a person or entity that is not a public law enforcement agency, emergency agency, or private ambulance business, the public agency, business, entity, or person must remove the emergency equipment. The seller or donor must remove all emergency lighting as defined in rules by the Washington State Patrol, radios, and any other emergency equipment from the vehicle that was not installed by the manufacturer and that visibly identifies the vehicle as an emergency vehicle from the exterior. The exception is the reflective strips and paint on fire trucks.
The sale or donation to a broker specializing in the resale of emergency vehicles or a charitable organization for use by a public law enforcement agency, emergency agency, or a private ambulance business is allowed with the emergency equipment intact. If the broker or charitable organization sells or donates the emergency vehicle to a person or entity that is not a public law enforcement or emergency agency, or private ambulance business, the broker or charitable organization is accountable and responsible for the removal of the equipment and designations not installed on the vehicle by the original vehicle manufacturer.
The equipment not sold or donated to a public law enforcement agency, emergency agency, or private ambulance business, must be retained or transferred to another public law enforcement or emergency agency, or a private ambulance business. If it is not, then the equipment must be dismantled with the individual parts being recycled or destroyed prior to being disposed of.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available on original bill.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.