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                     ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 1325

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State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Mielke, Fisher, K. Schmidt, Wood, Ericksen, Mitchell and Hankins; by request of Department of Transportation

Read first time 01/21/1999.  Referred to Committee on Transportation.

Phasing in lightweight tire studs.

    AN ACT Relating to studded tires; adding a new section to chapter 46.04 RCW; and adding new sections to chapter 46.37 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows:

    "Lightweight stud" means a stud intended for installation and use in a vehicle tire.  As used in this title, this means a stud that is recommended by the manufacturer of the tire for the type and size of the tire and that:

    (1) Weighs no more than 1.5 grams if the stud conforms to Tire Stud Manufacturing Institute (TSMI) stud size 14 or less;

    (2) Weighs no more than 2.3 grams if the stud conforms to TSMI stud size 15 or 16; or

    (3) Weighs no more than 3.0 grams if the stud conforms to TSMI stud size 17 or larger.

    A lightweight stud may contain any materials necessary to achieve the lighter weight.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 46.37 RCW to read as follows:

    Beginning January 1, 2000, a person offering to sell to a tire dealer conducting business in the state of Washington, a metal flange or cleat intended for installation as a stud in a vehicle tire shall certify that the studs are lightweight studs as defined in section 1 of this act.  Certification must be accomplished by clearly marking the boxes or containers used to ship and store studs with the designation "lightweight."  This section does not apply to tires or studs in a wholesaler's existing inventory as of January 1, 2000.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 46.37 RCW to read as follows:

    Beginning July 1, 2001, a person may not sell a studded tire or sell a stud for installation in a tire unless the stud qualifies as a lightweight stud under section 1 of this act.

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