HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5332
As Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
Title: An act relating to off-road and wheeled all-terrain vehicles.
Brief Description: Concerning off-road and wheeled all-terrain vehicles.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Padden).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 3/16/21, 3/29/21 [DP].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Restates the equipment requirements for both the on-road and the off-road uses of a wheeled all-terrain vehicle.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 28 members:Representatives Fey, Chair; Wylie, 1st Vice Chair; Bronoske, 2nd Vice Chair; Ramos, 2nd Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Eslick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Robertson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Volz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Berry, Chapman, Dent, Duerr, Entenman, Goehner, Griffey, Klicker, Lovick, McCaslin, Orcutt, Paul, Ramel, Riccelli, Slatter, Sutherland, Taylor, Valdez, Walsh and Wicks.
Staff: Mark Matteson (786-7145).
Background:

Wheeled All-Terrain Vehicles.  A wheeled all-terrain vehicle (WATV) is a specific category of off-road vehicle (ORV) authorized to travel on public roadways under certain circumstances.  There are basically two types of WATVs.  One is a motorized nonhighway vehicle weighing less than 1,500 pounds which is equipped with handlebars, four tires, and a seat with a height of at least 20 inches.  The second type is a utility-type vehicle having a maximum width of less than 74 inches and a maximum weight of less than 2,000 pounds, that can travel on four or more low-pressure tires.
 
To be eligible to use the vehicle off-road, the owner must register the WATV and pay an $18 fee and affix a metal tag to the rear of the vehicle with the appropriate off-road tab.  The following equipment is required for off-road WATV use:

  • a headlight and tail light between dusk and dawn when the vehicle is operated on property not owned by the operator; and
  • a spark arrester and muffling device.

 
A person who operates a WATV on a public roadway must have a valid driver's license for travel on public roadways and a current on-road vehicle registration.  To obtain an on-road registration, the owner must first have the required on-road equipment installed and must have the WATV inspected by a licensed WATV dealer or repair shop; the inspector then fills out the WATV road use declaration.  The owner must then submit the declaration to the Department of Licensing, pay a $12 fee, and register the WATV for on-road use.  The owner must affix a metal tag to the rear of an eligible WATV with the appropriate on-road tab.  The equipment required for on-road use includes:

  • a headlight;
  • two tail lamps for utility-type WATVs, and one tail lamp for other WATVs;
  • a stop lamp;
  • reflectors;
  • turn signals;
  • two mirrors for utility-type WATVs, and one mirror for other WATVs;
  • a windshield;
  • a horn;
  • brakes;
  • a spark arrester and muffling device; and
  • seatbelts, for utility-type WATVs.
Summary of Substitute Bill:

The equipment requirements for the use of a WATV for on-road and off-road purposes are restated.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is a simple bill that intends to provide clarity on equipment requirements for WATVs, as to off-road use versus on-road use.  It was brought by a constituent.

 

This is really a housekeeping and technical bill.   A reference was added in the chapter of law on ORVs as to where to find the definition of an ORV.  The current structure has created confusion among county officials.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Padden, prime sponsor; and Ted Jackson, Washington All-Terrain Vehicle Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.