FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5741

                           C 23 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Permitting trucks under 16,001 pounds to bypass scales.

Sponsors:  Senators Morton, Goings, Honeyford, T. Sheldon, Swecker, Deccio, Hochstatter, Benton, Zarelli, Long, Hale, Sheahan and Eide.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background:  The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section of the Washington State Patrol is responsible for the operation of the weigh stations located throughout the state.  There are five ports of entry open 24 hours a day and 43 scale houses that are open on a random basis.  Commercial motor carriers over 10,001 pounds and all carriers of hazardous materials are required to stop at a weigh station when it is open.  In addition to weighing the vehicle, a commercial vehicle enforcement officer may examine the log books, and check for proper permits and driver qualifications.

Buses, recreational vehicles used for noncommercial purposes, and a vehicle towing a horse trailer for a noncommercial purpose are not required to stop at the scales.

Oregon requires commercial vehicles weighing 20,001 pounds or more to stop at the scales.  Idaho=s minimum weight requirement is 16,001 pounds.

Summary:  A vehicle weighing 16,000 pounds or less is no longer required to stop at a weigh station when it is open.  (Any carrier of hazardous materials, regardless of weight, is still required to stop at an open scale house.)

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 44 0

House     93 0

Effective:  July 25, 1999