BILL REQ. #:  S-0438.1 

Read first time 01/14/11.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to prohibiting commercial motor vehicles in express lanes during peak hours; and adding a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 46.61 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department of transportation and the local authorities shall prohibit all commercial motor vehicles, as defined in RCW 46.25.010, from utilizing express lanes during peak traffic hours. A violation of this prohibition constitutes a traffic offense.
     (2) For the purposes of this section:
     (a) "Express lanes" means highway lanes that are reversible, used to relieve congestion from the transportation system, and established and operated by the department of transportation;
     (b) "Peak traffic hours" means Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.