FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1594

                         C 191 L 97

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Relaxing front end length limits on garbage trucks.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Transportation Policy & Budget (originally sponsored by  Representatives Zellinsky, Scott and Sheldon).

House Committee on Transportation Policy & Budget

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:  Front-loading garbage and recycling trucks are being used with increasing frequency in the collection of solid waste.  These vehicles are more efficient than the traditional rear-loading, high-entry vehicles due to the larger carrying capacity.

A front-loader is a truck with:  (1) a cargo hold and compressor behind the cab; and (2) a "fork" and "bucket" in front of the cab.  The fork lifts the bucket from the front of the vehicle, over the cab, and then the bucket turns with gravity to deposit the trash in the cargo hold.  The garbage is then compacted to the rear of the truck.

The length a vehicle or load may extend beyond the front wheels or bumper is restricted by law to three feet.  Because front-loaders are one to two feet over the legal limit, these vehicles are technically subject to special overlength permits ($10/trip or month, $120/year) issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Summary:  Front-loading garbage and recycling trucks are exempt from the three-foot vehicle front extension length limit when on route and actually collecting solid waste or recyclables at speeds of 20 miles per hour or less.  (The exemption allows these vehicles to operate without the DOT special overlength permits.)

Votes on Final Passage:

House950

Senate420

Effective:July 27,  1997