HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1348

BYRepresentatives Ferguson, O'Brien, Betrozoff, Haugen, May, Winsley, Sayan, Beck, Crane, Silver, Jones, Holland, Moyer, Horn, Patrick, Wood, Hankins and Miller

Authorizing excess weight permits for emergency vehicles.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (26)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Republican Member; Wood, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Cantwell, Cooper, Day, G. Fisher, R. Fisher, Gallagher, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Jones, Kremen, R. Meyers, Nelson, Patrick, Prentice, Prince, Smith, D. Sommers, Todd, Walker, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 2, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Transportation (DOT) issues overweight permits to vehicles that have non-reducible loads.  A fire truck that is prepared to respond to a fire is considered a non-reducible load.

An overweight permit fee is imposed to offset the pavement damage caused by heavier vehicles.  For public service agencies, such as fire districts, these permits are issued free of charge.  Under permit authority, the vehicle may carry 22,000 pounds on a single axle and 43,000 pounds on a tandem axle as long as the vehicle meets the statutory axle spacing and tire size requirements.

The Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs estimates that 25 percent to 30 percent of the fire trucks operating on Washington's public highways exceed the overweight permit legal weight limitation of 22,000 pounds on the single rear axle when the vehicle is loaded with water.

A similar measure was introduced last year which removed the permit requirement for authorized emergency vehicles, increased the single axle loading to 24,000 pounds and decreased the tandem axle loading to 40,000. The bill was held in Committee because the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indicated that the elimination of the permits brought the State out of compliance with federal law and possible federal sanctions could be imposed.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is authorized to issue overweight permits to fire trucks in excess of the statutory overweight limitations for non- reducible loads if the maximum gross weight on a single axle does not exceed 24,000 pounds, and 43,000 pounds on a tandem axle.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Otto Jensen, Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs; Les Flue, Pierce County Fire Chiefs Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    A change in the current axle loading limitation will bring fire trucks into conformance with the state's non-reducible load permit provisions.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.