Brief Description: Allowing annual permits for oversize towing operations.

Sponsors: Representatives Murray and Woods.

Hearing Date: 4/2/03

Staff: Reema Griffith (786-7301).

Background:

Under current law, vehicles which are overweight or oversized must obtain a special permit from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in order to travel on the state highway system. The different permits issued may be valid anywhere from one day to one year. There are currently no long-term permit categories for tow trucks.

Under the current process, if a tow truck is hired to tow an oversized/overweight vehicle, they must obtain a permit from the WSDOT which is valid for that single tow operation. The WSDOT charges according to the weight of the tow vehicle and the number of miles the vehicle will be towed. The fees for this type of permit range from $14 to several hundred dollars.

Should there be an emergency where an oversized/overweight vehicle needs to be towed outside of regular business hours, the tow truck company can currently obtain the permit from the Washington State Patrol (WSP). However, the WSP will be discontinuing this service as of July 1, 2003 which means, under the current scenario, tow truck companies will have to obtain the necessary permits in advance of a tow, or the tow will have to wait until the WSDOT offices are open for business.

Summary of Bill:

Two new overweight/oversize permit categories are created for tow trucks that tow oversize/overweight vehicles. The categories are for class C and class B tow trucks that perform emergency and nonemergency tows of oversize or overweight vehicles. The permits are valid for one year. The permit fee for class C tow trucks is $150 per year and the fee for class B tow trucks is $75 per year.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on March 31, 2003.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.