SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5741

               As Passed Senate, March 13, 1999

Title:  An act relating to exemptions from requirements for trucks to stop at scales.

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.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/16/99, 3/2/99 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/13/99, 44-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

Background:  The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Section of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) 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 20,00l pounds or more to stop at the scales.  Idaho's minimum weight requirement is 16,001 pounds.

Summary of Bill:  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.)

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Exempting carriers under 16,000 pounds from stopping at the scales will bring us closer to complying with the requirements of our neighboring states. 

Testimony For w/concerns:  WPS prefers fixed site inspections for vehicles over 10,000 pounds as the scales (1) provide a safe place to conduct inspections away from the highway traffic, and (2) eliminate the need to inspect these vehicles on the highway.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Morton, prime sponsor (pro); Capt. Eric Robertson, WSP (pro w/concerns).