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