HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1344

                       As Passed House

                      February 19, 1993

Title:  An act relating to vehicle axles.

Brief Description:  Altering vehicle axle restrictions.

Sponsors:  Representative Jones.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 4, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, February 19, 1993, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 22 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Minority Member; Mielke, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brough; Brumsickle; Cothern; Eide; Finkbeiner; Forner; Fuhrman; Hansen; Heavey; Horn; Johanson; J. Kohl; H. Myers; Orr; Quall; Sheldon; Shin; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786-7309).

Background:  The legal load limit for a single axle is 20,000 pounds and 34,000 pounds for a tandem axle.  The two axles in tandem must be less than seven feet apart, and the weight differential between the two axles cannot exceed 3,000 pounds.  Example:  In a tandem grouping, the weight may be 18,500 pounds on one axle and 15,500 on the other axle for a total of 34,000 pounds.  A variable lift axle is exempt from the spacing and variance requirement as it is usually a two-tired axle with a tire capacity of only 10,000 to 12,000 pounds.

The reason for the 3,000 pound variance is to distribute the weight more evenly among the axles.  If the 3,000 pound weight differential were removed, the maximum gross weight of the tandem would remain at 34,000 pounds.

Summary of Bill:  The 3,000 pound variance on a tandem axle is removed.  In a tandem combination, the maximum weight remains 20,000 pounds on a single axle, and 34,000 pounds on a tandem.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The use of a jifflox is allowed, which converts a two-axle tractor to a three-axle tractor without exceeding the legal weight limit on a tandem axle.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Larry Pursley, Washington Trucking Association; and Barry Diseth, Department of Transportation.