SENATE BILL REPORT
EHB 1271
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 24, 1993
Brief Description: Prescribing allowed vehicle lengths.
SPONSORS: Representatives R. Fisher, Schmidt, R. Meyers, Brown, Jones, Horn and Wood; by request of Department of Transportation
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Skratek, Vice Chairman; Barr, Drew, Nelson, Oke, Prentice, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Sheldon, and Winsley.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Haugen.
Staff: Mary McLaughlin (786‑7309)
Hearing Dates: March 24, 1993
BACKGROUND:
The state of Washington is currently in noncompliance with the following federal regulations contained in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991:
(1)Federal law allows the operation of a combination consisting of two 28-1/2 foot trailers. In order to provide an adequate turning radius, the overall length of the combination is 61 feet. Current state law restricts the legal length of a double trailer combination to 60 feet.
(2)Federal code sets the legal maximum overall length for a bus at 45 feet. With the exception of articulated auto stages and municipal transit vehicles, Washington's statutes limit bus lengths to a maximum of 40 feet.
SUMMARY:
Washington's statutes are brought into compliance with ISTEA's vehicle length provisions:
(1)The legal length of a double trailer combination is increased from 60 to 61 feet to accommodate the operation of a combination consisting of two 28-1/2 foot trailers; and
(2)The length of a bus (auto stage, private carrier bus or school bus) is increased from 40 to 45 feet.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:
The bus length is increased from 45 to 46 feet to clarify that the overall length includes bumpers (45 foot buses are actually 45 feet 6 inches when measured bumper to bumper).
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
TESTIMONY FOR:
The state is brought into compliance with federal length laws, thereby promoting conformity with our neighboring states.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: PRO: Larry Pursley, WA Trucking Assn.; Barry Diseth, WSDOT; Vern Lindskog, WA Motorcoach Assn.; David Beagle, Grayline