HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5184

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Smitherman, Lee and Talmadge)

Regulating limousine operators.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (16)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, G. Fisher, R. Fisher, Gallagher, Heavey, Jones, R. Meyers, Nelson, Patrick, Prince and Todd.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (3)

      Signed by Representatives Wood, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Haugen and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 3, 1989

BACKGROUND:

A limousine is used to transport a person or a group of persons, under contract, to a specific destination either agreed upon in advance or modified after leaving the place of origin.  A limousine with a passenger seating capacity of seven or more is regulated as a passenger charter bus by the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC).  These limousines are subject to UTC entry (Fit, Willing and Able), proof of insurance, safety of operations and payment of the annual regulatory fees.  Limousines are not subject to economic rate regulation.  Limousines with a passenger seating capacity of less than seven are regulated as taxicabs by local governments.

All limousines, regardless of seating capacity, are subject to local government regulations.  Because local ordinances governing taxicabs vary, it is sometimes difficult for a limousine to comply with all local requirements, particularly when moving from county to county.

SUMMARY:

Under a new chapter, limousines with a passenger seating capacity of four to 16 are regulated by the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) in a manner similar to passenger charter services.  Limousines are subject to UTC entry (Fit, Willing and Able), but rate regulation is not imposed. 

The intrastate application fee or transfer fee is a maximum of $200.  Intrastate limousine services are subject to the Commission's chauffeur qualifications, safety and insurance provisions, and payment of the annual regulatory fee.  The fee cannot exceed the cost of supervising and regulating limousines.

Interstate and foreign limousine carriers with Interstate Commerce Commission operating or exempt authority are required to register with the Commission if operating in Washington.  A one- time $25 registration fee is imposed.  These carriers are also subject to the annual regulatory fee, and the UTC's safety and insurance provisions.

The liability insurance provisions are:  (1) $100,000 for personal injury to one person, (2) $500,000 for a vehicle with a passenger seating capacity of 16 or less, (3) $50,000 for property damage to one person, and (4) $600,000 for combined bodily injury and property damage liability insurance.  An interstate limousine service carrier that qualifies as a self- insurer with the ICC is exempt from the UTC insurance provisions as long as the ICC qualification remains in effect.

Local ordinances relating to limousine service must be consistent with state law.  However, local governments may enact laws that require limousines to pay business and occupation taxes.

The Commission is to adopt rules with respect to safety of equipment and operations and driver qualifications.  The UTC, in cooperation with the Washington State Patrol (WSP), is to adopt rules for sunscreening material on limousine windows.

These regulations do not apply to taxicabs, private passenger vehicles, passenger charters and aeroporters.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Douglas Mykol, Limousine Association of Washington; Leonard Zevenbergen, Limousine Association of Washington; Phil Peterson, Washington State Patrol.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The confusion in complying with local ordinances is alleviated.  State regulation will increase conformity within the industry.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 88; Nays 7; Absent 2; Excused 1

Voting Nay: Representatives Bowman, Brumsickle, McLean, Padden, Schmidt, Silver and Wolfe

Absent:     Representatives Locke and R. Meyers

Excused:    Representative Raiter