HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2613

             As Reported By House Committee On:

               Transportation Policy & Budget

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

Brief Description:  Requiring backup alerts on delivery trucks.

Sponsors:  Representatives Zellinsky, K. Schmidt, Mitchell, Radcliff, O'Brien, Robertson, Chandler, Fisher, Hatfield, D. Sommers, Murray and Dyer.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation Policy & Budget:  1/22/98, 1/26/98 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION POLICY & BUDGET

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill 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; DeBolt; Gardner; Hatfield; Johnson; McCune; O'Brien; Radcliff; Romero; Scott; Skinner; Wood and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 3 members:  Representatives Mitchell, Vice Chairman; Robertson and Sterk.

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 Substitute 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 will be developed by the Washington State Patrol.  The new standards take effect September 30, 1998.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Rear crossview mirrors were assumed to be a backup device in the original bill.  Based on public testimony, the rear crossview mirror was added as an option.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

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

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dean Norton, citizen; Jackie Norton, citizen; Larry Pursley, Washington Trucking Association; Mike Ryherd, Joint Council of Teamsters; Captain Marsh Pugh, Washington State Patrol; and Steve Lind, Washington Traffic Safety Commission.