Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 1712

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.

Brief Description: Authorizing vehicles or combinations of vehicles carrying farm products to exceed total gross weight limits by two thousand pounds.

Sponsors: Representatives Dye, Schmick, Chapman, Caldier, Gregerson, Eslick, Blake, Kraft, Van Werven, Dent and Chambers.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Allows a vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying farm products to exceed the weight limits in statute by up to 2,000 pounds when operating on any highway in Washington that is not part of the federal-aid interstate system.

  • Allows that vehicle weight limits established by a board of county commissioners may also be exceeded by 2,000 pounds.

  • Specifies that the additional weight allowance does not allow a vehicle or combination of vehicles to exceed any posted weight limit for a bridge.

  • States that a special permit is not required for a vehicle or combination of vehicles qualifying for these additional weight allowances.

Hearing Date: 2/21/19

Staff: Beth Redfield (786-7140).

Background:

In Washington no vehicle or combination of vehicles may operate on the public highways with a gross load on any single axle in excess of 20,000 pounds or upon any group of axles in excess of that designated in statute, except that two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of 34,000 pounds each. The maximum allowable gross vehicle weight is 105,500 pounds.

Trucks are registered based on a declared gross vehicle weight with a graduated fee schedule in statute. Overweight permits are also available based on a graduated fee schedule.

The board of county commissioners of each county may, by resolution, limit or prohibit classes or types of vehicles on any county road or bridge and may limit the weight of vehicles which may travel on a county road or bridge. Any resolution must be effective for a definite period of time, which must be stated in the resolution.

Bridges with maximum load limits below legal vehicle weight limits are posted with maximum load limitations. Bridges which are not posted have maximum load limitations which exceed legal weight limits.

Summary of Bill:

A vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying farm products, as defined by RCW 7.48.310, may exceed the weight limits in statute by up to 2,000 pounds when operating on public highways in Washington. The highways cannot be part of the federal-aid interstate system. A vehicle or combination of a vehicles carrying a farm product may also exceed the weight limits established by a board of county commissioners by up to 2,000 pounds when operating on the public highways.

These allowances do not allow a vehicle or combination of vehicles to exceed any posted weight limit for a bridge. A special permit is not required for a vehicle or combination of vehicles qualifying for these additional weight allowances.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.