Z-0032.3 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5340
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State of Washington 56th Legislature 1999 Regular Session
By Senators Haugen, Benton, Jacobsen, Oke and Gardner; by request of Utilities & Transportation Commission
Read first time 01/20/1999. Referred to Committee on Transportation.
AN ACT Relating to inspections of hazardous materials offered by private shippers for transportation by rail; and amending RCW 81.44.065.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 81.44.065 and 1961 c 14 s 81.44.065 are each amended to read as follows:
The
utilities and transportation commission shall exercise all powers and duties in
relation to the inspection of tracks, bridges, structures, equipment,
apparatus, and appliances of railroads with respect to the safety of employees
and the public and the administration and enforcement of all laws providing for
the protection of the public and employees of railroads ((which)) that
prior to April 1, 1955, were vested in and required to be performed by
the director of labor and industries.
The commission may enter the property of any business that receives, ships, or offers for shipment hazardous materials by rail, or that manufactures, marks, maintains, reconditions, repairs, or tests containers that are represented, marked, certified, or sold for use in the transportation of hazardous materials by rail. Entry shall be at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner. The purpose of such entry shall be to perform inspections, investigations, or surveillance of facilities, equipment, records, and operations relating to the packaging, loading, or transportation of hazardous materials by rail. The term "business" is all inclusive and is not limited to common carriers or public service companies.
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