FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1262

                         C 276 L 91

                     Synopsis As Enacted

Brief Description:  Lessening emergency service tow truck restrictions.

By Representatives Zellinsky, Lisk, R. Meyers, Van Luven, Ferguson, Prentice, Chandler, Orr, Bowman, Prince, Day, Cooper, R. Fisher, Betrozoff, Cantwell, Forner, Paris, Wilson, P. Johnson, Fuhrman, Winsley, Hochstatter, Nealey, Wynne, D. Sommers, Broback, Wood, Morton, Horn, Mielke, Brough, Miller, Jacobsen and Silver.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:  The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for the issuance of overdimensional and overweight permits to vehicles that exceed the otherwise applicable legal weight, height, length and width limits.  By policy, when a tow truck operator removes a disabled overweight or overdimensional vehicle from a public highway, the initial move may be made without first having obtained the proper permits.

If the vehicle is over 34,000 pounds and up to 43,000 pounds on a tandem axle and is a non-reducible load, a DOT-issued permit must be obtained before the vehicle can be transported to its final destination.  To expedite the permitting process for a tow truck operator's subsequent move, the DOT and Washington State Patrol have agreed to issue overweight permits by telephone for weights between 34,000 and 43,000 pounds on the rear tandem axle.  A permit number is given to the tow truck operator that is carried in the vehicle.  After the move is completed, the tow truck operator pays the DOT permit fee.

For non-reducible load tandem axle weights over 43,000 pounds, application must be made to the DOT specifying the proposed routes to be used.  The DOT then determines if the movement can be made without damage to the highway and bridge structures.  The DOT may accept, modify or deny the proposed route after review by its Bridge Division.

Summary:  A tow truck performing an initial tow of a disabled vehicle is not subject to statutory height, length, axle loading and spacing limits.

A tow truck operator must obtain any necessary overweight permit before moving a vehicle.  The Department of Transportation must provide overweight vehicle permitting service by telephone on a 24-hour basis.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  97   0

Senate 46   0    (Senate amended)

House  95   1    (House concurred)

Effective:    July 28, 1991