SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1175

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Transportation, April 2, 1999

Title:  An act relating to street rods.

Brief Description:  Regulating street rods.

Sponsors:  Representatives Cairnes, O'Brien, DeBolt, Dunshee, Schindler, Morris, Koster, Cooper, G. Chandler, Mulliken, Benson, Mielke, Stensen, Carrell, Ogden, Dunn and McIntire.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  3/31/99, 4/2/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Goings, Vice Chair; Benton, Costa, Eide, Horn, Jacobsen, Johnson, Morton, Oke, Patterson, Sheahan, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Staff:  Paul Johnson (786-7839)

Background:  A street rod is a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, which is either (1) manufactured before 1949, or (2) built or reconstructed with major parts manufactured before 1949.

In addition to being pre-1949 in origin, a street rod is modified in its body style or design through the use of non-original or reproduced parts.  Examples include modifications to the frame, drive train, engine, suspension, or brakes that in no way affect the vehicle's safety or road-worthiness.

No person may operate a motor vehicle that is not equipped with fenders or splash aprons that prevent mud or water from spraying off the roadway to the rear of the car.  A motor vehicle not less than 40 years old and owned/operated primarily as a collector's item does not need fenders when driven in fair weather on a well-maintained, hard surface road.

Summary of Bill:  A street rod vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, which is (1) manufactured before 1949, (2) assembled or reconstructed with major parts manufactured before 1949, or (3) assembled or manufactured after 1949 to resemble a pre-1949 vehicle.

In addition to having one of these historical characteristics, a street rod must also be (1) modified in its body style with non-original or reproduced parts, or (2) constructed from non-original materials, or altered dimensionally or in shape and appearance different from the original manufactured body.

A motor vehicle that is either (1) not less than 40 years old, or (2) a street rod vehicle that is owned/operated primarily as a collector's item, does not need to be equipped with fenders.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Original steel body frames are becoming harder to find and more expensive than later reproductions.  This change will allow reproduction street rods, built after 1949, to be in compliance with the law.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Jack Cairnes, prime sponsor (pro).