FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6464

                              C 56 L 90

BYSenators Patrick, Vognild, West, Rasmussen and Wojahn

Exempting law enforcement officers from commercial driver's license requirements.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committe on Transportation

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 requires all commercial vehicle drivers to obtain a commercial driver's license by April 1, 1992.  When the Washington Legislature enacted the federal statute in 1989, it provided for federally approved exemptions. 

The current exemptions apply to drivers of farm vehicles, firefighters who have completed a training course, and a driver who is operating a recreational vehicle.

SUMMARY:

An exemption is provided for a law enforcement officer operating emergency equipment.  Law enforcement officers must pass a driver's training course approved by the Department of Licensing.

A vehicle towing a horse trailer for noncommercial purposes is a recreational vehicle and qualifies for the recreational vehicle exemption under the Commercial Driver's License Program.

The provision that a farmer does not qualify for an exemption if he or she transports hazardous materials is removed from the Commercial Driver's License Program.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   46    0

     House 96  0 (House amended)

     Senate   48    0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990