SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2775

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, February 20, 2018

Title: An act relating to the color of stop lamps on vehicles.

Brief Description: Clarifying the required color of certain lamps on vehicles.

Sponsors: Representatives Lovick, Haler and Young; by request of Washington State Patrol.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/13/18, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/19/18, 2/20/18 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Aligns Washington's rear signal device color and rear stop lamp color requirements with federal law.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Hobbs, Chair; Saldaña, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Chase, Cleveland, Dhingra, Fortunato, Liias, McCoy, O'Ban, Takko, Wellman and Zeiger.

Staff: Kim Johnson (786-7472)

Background: The equipment required for the operation of motor vehicles is regulated under both state and federal law. In order to be eligible for Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program grant funds from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, states must comply with certain federal laws.

Federal code allows rear signal devices to display either a red or amber color and requires rear stop lamps to display a red color only. Washington currently allows rear signal devices to display or reflect red, amber, or yellow colors and allows rear stop lamps to display a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber.

Summary of Bill: Rear signal devices may display or reflect a red or amber color and rear stop lamps must display a red light.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: I would like to thank WSP for bringing this forward. It is a very simple bill and helps to ensure our eligibility for federal grant funds that help support training for our commercial motor vehicle enforcement troopers.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative John Lovick, Prime Sponsor; Monica Alexander, Washington State Patrol.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.