SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5016
As of January 20, 2021
Title: An act relating to tracked and wheeled all-terrain vehicles.
Brief Description: Concerning tracked and wheeled all-terrain vehicles.
Sponsors: Senators Warnick, Brown and Van De Wege.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/21/21.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows a wheeled all-terrain vehicle (WATV) to also be registered and used as a snowmobile like vehicle defined as a tracked all-terrain vehicle.
  • Requires a WATV previously converted to a tracked all-terrain vehicle to meet applicable federal and state safety standards before being used again on public roads as a WATV.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Staff: Kimberly Johnson (786-7472)
Background:

Snowmobiles.  A snowmobile is a type of off-road vehicle capable of traveling over snow or ice, using an endless belt tread or cleats as a means of propulsion, and is steered by skis or sled-type runners.  Snowmobiles are regulated under state law separately from other off-road vehicles.  Snowmobiles are subject to a $30 registration fee, which is deposited to the Snowmobile Account.

 

Wheeled All-Terrain Vehicles.  A WATV is a specific category of off-road vehicle regulated separately under some aspects of a state law first enacted in 2013.  There are two types of WATVs authorized to travel on public roads under certain circumstances.  One is a motorized nonhighway vehicle:

  • having handlebars 50 inches or less in width;
  • having a seat height of at least 20 inches;
  • weighing less than 1500 pounds; and
  • having four tires with a diameter of 30 inches or less.

 

The second is a utility-type vehicle:

  • designed for and capable of travel over designated roads;
  • traveling on four or more low-pressure tires of 20 pounds per square inch or less;
  • having a maximum width less than 74 inches;
  • having a maximum weight of less than 2000 pounds; and
  • having a wheelbase of 110 inches or less.

 

On-road use requires certain vehicle registration requirements including equipment and payment of a $12 fee.  WATV off-road use requires registration and payment of an $18 fee.

 

Conversion kits are currently available, allowing WATVs to be used on snow or ice as a snowmobile.
Summary of Bill:

"Tracked all-terrain vehicle" is defined within the snowmobile chapter of the RCW as a WATV, weighing less than 2000 pounds in stock configuration, with tracks or a combination of tracks and skis installed in place of the tires.  The definition of snowmobile is broadened to include tracked all-terrain vehicles.

 

Allows the owner of a WATV to maintain concurrent registrations for the vehicle for use as a WATV, and for use as a tracked all-terrain vehicle.  When registering as a WATV, the WATV registration laws apply, including applicable fees.  When registering as a tracked all-terrain vehicle, the snowmobile registration laws apply, including applicable fees.

 

The Department of Licensing must establish a declaration for submission by the WATV owner when initially applying for a snowmobile registration, which states the WATV complies with all applicable federal or state vehicle safety standards while in use as a WATV upon public highways.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.