HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6102
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 Passed House:
March 5, 2020
Title: An act relating to stop signal warning devices on school buses.
Brief Description: Adjusting stop signal requirements for school buses.
Sponsors: Senators Wellman, Mullet, Wilson, C. and Sheldon; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 2/26/20, 3/2/20 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/5/20, 97-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 30 members: Representatives Fey, Chair; Wylie, 1st Vice Chair; Slatter, 2nd Vice Chair; Valdez, 2nd Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Young, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Boehnke, Chambers, Chapman, Dent, Doglio, Duerr, Entenman, Eslick, Goehner, Gregerson, Irwin, Kloba, Lovick, McCaslin, Mead, Orcutt, Ortiz-Self, Paul, Ramos, Riccelli, Shewmake, Van Werven and Volz.
Staff: Beth Redfield (786-7140).
Background:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration establishes federal safety requirements for school buses, including requirements for structural integrity, periodic inspections, and school bus seating and equipment standards. In addition to the federal requirements, states may also adopt requirements for school buses and their safe operation.
Under both federal and state law, school buses must be equipped with a stop signal that extends from the bus indicating that traffic must stop to allow children to pass safely. The size and style of the stop sign for buses are set out in federal rule and state law. Currently, the federal rule requires that the word "stop" be at least 5.9 inches high. The state statute requires the word "stop" be at least 8 inches high.
Summary of Bill:
The state requirement that the word "stop" displayed on a school bus stop signal is changed to specify that the letters be at least 5.9 inches high.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The bill will align Washington school bus stop signal lettering to federal standards and also our Washington manufacturing specifications. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction requested this legislation in order for school bus stop signals to comply with Washington law.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Patti Enbody, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.