HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 2SSB 5727

                      As Passed House:

                        March 3, 1998

Title:  An act relating to backup alert devices on delivery trucks.

Brief Description:  Requiring backup alerts or crossview mirrors on delivery trucks.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Wood, Haugen, Jacobsen, Hargrove, Finkbeiner, Deccio, Heavey, Goings, McAuliffe, Patterson, Prentice, Winsley, Kohl and Rasmussen).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation Policy & Budget:  2/24/98 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/3/98, 88-9.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION POLICY & BUDGET

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 21 members:  Representatives K. Schmidt, Chairman; Hankins, Vice Chairman; Mielke, Vice Chairman; Fisher, Ranking Minority Member; Cooper, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Cairnes; Chandler; Constantine; Gardner; Hatfield; Johnson; Murray; O'Brien; Ogden; Radcliff; Scott; Skinner; Sterk; Wood and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 2 members:  Representatives Mitchell, Vice Chairman; and Robertson.

Staff:  Jerry Long (786-7306).

Background:  The state has the ability to adopt certain motor vehicle equipment safety standards so long as the standards are at least as stringent as federal law, and so long as the federal government has not preempted state regulation.  Currently, there is no requirement under either federal or state law that small delivery trucks be equipped with a backup device that alerts the driver that a person or object is directly behind the vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Institute (NHTSA) is currently testing the effectiveness of various backup devices on the market in an effort to promulgate federal rules on uniform equipment standards.  NHTSA is looking at rear-view mirrors, infra-red devices and radar warning devices.  The earliest the federal rules are anticipated to be put in place is September 1998.  Once the rules are finalized, all states must comply with the new equipment standards.

Summary of Bill:  Small delivery trucks registered or based in Washington that are up to 18 feet long must be equipped with a rear crossview mirror or backup device to alert the driver that a person or object is behind the truck.  Administrative rules for equipment specification, installation and operating condition are developed by the Washington State Patrol.  The new standards take effect September 30, 1998.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on September 30, 1998.

Testimony For:  Backup devices would alert the driver to an object or person behind the truck.  The bill would save lives and minimize property damage.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dean Norton, citizen; Jackie Norton, citizen; and Captain Marsh Pugh, Washington State Patrol.