SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5381

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 10, 1993

Brief Description:  Extending periods for overheight load permits.

SPONSORS: Senators Vognild, Newhouse, Deccio, Hochstatter, Sellar and Erwin

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Skratek, Vice Chairman; Barr, Drew, Haugen, Nelson, Oke, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Sheldon, von Reichbauer, and Winsley.

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786‑7309)

Hearing Dates: February 2, 1993; March 1, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Special overheight permits are issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for loads that cannot be reasonably reduced and exceed the statutory height limit of 14 feet.  The movement of empty fruit bins up to a maximum height of 14 feet 10 inches is authorized if a special overheight permit is obtained.

Overheight permits, valid for 30 days, may be purchased for a fee of $20.  However, there is no provision for the advanced purchase of permits for the ensuing months.  If an individual wishes to purchase an overheight permit for three consecutive months, three separate monthly permits must be purchased on separate occasions.  This has created an inconvenience for operators hauling empty fruit bins. 

SUMMARY:

A special category of overheight permits is created for the movement of empty fruit bins.  A three-month permit may be purchased for a fee of $60.  The fee for an annual permit is $240.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The change will give the department more flexibility when issuing overheight permits for the movement of fruit bins.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Barry Diseth (pro)