HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2572

                       As Passed House

                      February 17, 1992

Title:  An act relating to the Model Traffic Ordinance.

Brief Description:  Updating the Model Traffic Ordinance.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives R. Fisher and Betrozoff.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 6, 1992, DP;

Passed House, February 17, 1992, 82-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 27 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; R. Meyers, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Brough; Cantwell; Cooper; Day; G. Fisher; Forner; Haugen; Heavey; Horn; P. Johnson; R. Johnson; Jones; Kremen; Mitchell; Nelson; Orr; Prentice; Prince; Schmidt; Wilson; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786-7309).

Background:  The Model Traffic Ordinance (MTO) is a listing of state traffic and motor vehicle laws that a city, town or county may adopt, by reference, to serve as its local traffic ordinance.  The MTO may be adopted in whole or in part, and a local government may exclude any sections it does not wish to include in its local laws.  The model is updated each year to incorporate recently enacted statutes.

Summary of Bill:  Recent legislative enactments added to the model are that:  (1) school buses must be equipped with a crossing arm mounted to the bus effective September 1, 1992; (2) initial tow movements are exempt from the state's highway weight limitation requirements; (3) it is a traffic infraction for anyone to knowingly direct the loading of a vehicle in excess of the weight limitations for highway usage; and (4) refusal of a person to submit to an alcohol blood or breath test is admissible evidence at a subsequent criminal trial.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Incorporation of recent legislative enactments into the model allows local jurisdictions to adopt these new traffic laws by reference.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Craig Olson, Association of Washington Cities.