SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5260
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Transportation, January 27, 2011
Title: An act relating to combination of vehicles.
Brief Description: Modifying combination of vehicle provisions.
Sponsors: Senators King, Haugen, Eide, Swecker, Delvin, Hobbs and Ericksen; by request of Department of Transportation.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/24/11, 1/27/11 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; White, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Minority Member; Fain, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Hill, Hobbs, Litzow, Nelson, Prentice, Ranker, Shin and Swecker.
Staff: Katherine Taylor (786-7434)
Background: A saddlemount vehicle combination is a combination of vehicles in which a truck or truck tractor tows one or more trucks or truck tractors, each connected by a saddle to the frame or fifth wheel of the vehicle in front of it.
Under current Washington State law, a saddlemount vehicle combination may not exceed 75 feet in overall length. However, federal law prohibits states from imposing an overall length limit of less than or greater than 97 feet on saddlemount vehicle combinations.
Further, federal law states that non-compliance with the federally mandated saddlemount length could lead to a 10 percent reduction of federal aid for the National Highway System apportioned to the state for the next fiscal year.
Summary of Bill: The limit for the length of a saddlemount vehicle combination is removed from Washington State law.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Removing the 75 feet length limit for saddlemount vehicle combinations from Washington State Law and increasing the limit to 97 feet in the Washington Administrative Code would bring Washington into compliance with the federal saddlemount vehicle combination length.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Bill Legg, Washington State Department of Transportation.