SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2766

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Transportation, February 28, 2000

Title:  An act relating to recreational vehicles.

Brief Description:  Adjusting RV size limits.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Cairnes and Hatfield).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/22/2000, 2/28/2000 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Goings, Vice Chair; Benton, Eide, Finkbeiner, Heavey, Horn, Johnson, Morton, Patterson, Prentice, Sheahan, T. Sheldon and Shin.

Staff:  Michelle Chase (786-7305)

Background:  The legal length for a single-unit vehicle is 40 feet.  Certain exceptions are provided, including for-hire, private carrier and school buses which may be 46 feet in length.  Over-length permits may be issued by the Department of Transportation for over-legal length movements ($10 per trip; $10 for 30 days).

Summary of Bill:  Motor homes are added to the list of single unit vehicles that may be 46 feet in length.  (The western states of Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado allow 46 foot motor homes.)

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill would make the motor home length limits consistent in the western states.  Motor home owners have excellent safety records and are involved in very few accidents.  Because these larger motor homes are expensive and are usually not the first motor home a person owns, they are usually driven by experienced drivers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Jack Cairnes, prime sponsor; Stu Halsan, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association.