SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5425

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, JANUARY 29, 1992

Brief Description:  Permitting old vehicles to have blue dot taillights.

SPONSORS:Senator Owen.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5425 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

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

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786‑7307)

Hearing Dates:January 28, 1992; January 29, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Federal motor vehicle safety standards and state law require that all lighting devices and reflectors mounted on the rear of any vehicle be red, amber or yellow.

SUMMARY:

A vehicle 30 years or older may use a taillight that contains a blue or purple insert.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The substitute changes the vehicles that are eligible to use blue dot taillights from vehicles that are 30 years old to those which are 40 years or older.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill would allow auto enthusiasts to detail their vehicles.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

The bill would cause recognition problems for other motorists.

TESTIFIED:  Scott Cedergreen, Washington Car Club Council (pro); Brent Knott, Midnight Cruisers Car Club of Grays Harbor (pro); Tim Erickson, Washington State Patrol (con)