FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6356

C 117 L 10

Synopsis as Enacted

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).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background: Public agencies are prohibited from selling or giving emergency vehicle equipment to someone that is not allowed to use that equipment on public streets.

Summary: Prior to selling or giving an emergency vehicle to a non-law enforcement or emergency agency including private ambulance businesses, the public agency must remove the emergency lighting, radios, and any other emergency equipment from the vehicle that was not originally installed by the manufacturer. The equipment may be retained or transferred to another public law enforcement or emergency agency or it must be destroyed. The agency must also remove all decals, state and local designated law enforcement colors, and stripes that were not installed by the manufacturer. 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 or emergency agency 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 must remove the equipment and designations.

Votes on Final Passage: