S-1929.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6019
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State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995 Regular Session
By Senators Sutherland, Winsley and Heavey
Read first time 02/23/95. Referred to Committee on Transportation.
AN ACT Relating to studded tires; amending RCW 46.37.420; and adding a new section to chapter 46.37 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 46.37.420 and 1990 c 105 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) It is unlawful to operate a vehicle upon the public highways of this state unless it is completely equipped with pneumatic rubber tires except vehicles equipped with temporary-use spare tires that meet federal standards that are installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
(2) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway may have on its periphery any block, flange, cleat, or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it is permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances that will not injure the highway, and except also that it is permissible to use tire chains or metal studs imbedded within the tire of reasonable proportions and of a type conforming to rules adopted by the state patrol, upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Beginning November 1, 1995, a vehicle using tires imbedded with metal studs must display a valid permit issued under section 2 of this act. It is unlawful to use metal studs imbedded within the tire between April 1st and November 1st. The state department of transportation may, from time to time, determine additional periods in which the use of tires with metal studs imbedded therein is lawful.
(3) The state department of transportation and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may issue special permits authorizing the operation upon a highway of traction engines or tractors having movable tracks with transverse corrugations upon the periphery of the movable tracks or farm tractors or other farm machinery, the operation of which upon a highway would otherwise be prohibited under this section.
(4) Tires with metal studs imbedded therein may be used between November 1st and April 1st upon school buses and fire department vehicles, any law or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 46.37 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Beginning November 1, 1995, it is unlawful to operate a vehicle having tires with metal studs imbedded in them without a valid permit issued by the department authorizing the use of such tires. A violation of this section is a traffic infraction.
(2) Beginning July 1, 1995, the department shall issue permits for the operation of vehicles using tires with metal studs imbedded in them upon payment of an annual fee of one hundred sixty dollars. The department may adjust the fee from time to time as necessary, but shall not increase the fee in any fiscal year in excess of the amount allowed under RCW 43.135.055.
(3) The department shall transmit permit fees collected under this section to the state treasurer for deposit in the motor vehicle fund to defray the cost of maintenance and repair to state highways caused by the use of studded tires.
(4) The permit issued by the department must consist of a decal of such substance, size, and quality and be affixed to the outside of the vehicle in a visible location as determined by the department in consultation with the state patrol.
(5) The state patrol may enter into agreements with law enforcement agencies of other states for the purpose of establishing reciprocity agreements concerning the waiver of enforcement of this section on nonresident motorists primarily traveling through the state of Washington.
(6) The department may adopt such other rules as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
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