SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 2572

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 28, 1992

Brief Description:  Updating the Model Traffic Ordinance.

SPONSORS: Representatives R. Fisher and Betrozoff

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Conner, Erwin, W. Hansen, Madsen, McMullen, Oke, Skratek, Snyder, and Vognild.

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786‑7309)

Hearing Dates: February 27, 1992; February 28, 1992

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:

Recent legislative enactments added to the model:  (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.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

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

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Jim Justin, Association of Washington Cities (pro)