SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5313

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Transportation, February 16, 1995

Title:  An act relating to farm vehicle exceptions to commercial driver's license requirements.

Brief Description:  Excusing small tree harvesters from the commercial driver's license requirements.

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Owen, Roach, Winsley and Hargrove.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/1/95, 2/16/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5313 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Owen, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Fairley, Haugen, Kohl, Morton, Oke, Prentice, Prince, Rasmussen, Schow and Wood.

Staff:  Brian McMorrow (786-7304)

Background:  A driver of a commercial vehicle must obtain a commercial driver's license with an endorsement for the type of vehicle he or she is driving.  The law exempts farmers who use their own vehicles to transport their agricultural products or farm-related materials distances less than 150 miles from their farms.  It also exempts drivers of emergency vehicles and recreational vehicles used for noncommercial purposes.

Summary of Bill:  Small harvesters, as defined by the Department of Revenue, who drive vehicles transporting trees, are also not required to obtain commercial vehicle driver's licenses.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill more clearly defines the commercial driver's license exemption for farmers.  The original bill inadvertently exempted drivers of large logging trucks.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Farmers should not have to apply for a commercial driver's license to occasionally haul trees that have blown down on their land.

Testimony Against:  (original bill) Exemptions to small harvesters would also exempt some logging truck drivers from obtaining a commercial driver's license.

Testified:  Senator Rasmussen, prime sponsor; Bob Leichner, Washington State Patrol (con).