BILL REQ. #: H-0258.1
State of Washington | 58th Legislature | 2003 Regular Session |
Read first time 01/27/2003. Referred to Committee on Transportation.
AN ACT Relating to providing incentives to reduce air pollution through the licensing and use of neighborhood electric vehicles; amending RCW 46.04.320; adding a new section to chapter 46.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1 RCW 46.04.320 and 2002 c 247 s 2 are each amended to read
as follows:
"Motor vehicle" ((shall)) means every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power
obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.
"Motor vehicle" includes a neighborhood electric vehicle as defined in
section 2 of this act. An electric personal assistive mobility device
is not considered a motor vehicle.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW
to read as follows:
"Neighborhood electric vehicle" means a self-propelled,
electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle whose speed attainable
in one mile is more than twenty miles per hour and not more than
twenty-five miles per hour and conforms to federal regulations under
Title 49 C.F.R. Part 571.500.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 A new section is added to chapter 46.61 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) Absent prohibition by local authorities authorized under this
section and except as prohibited elsewhere in this section, a person
may operate a neighborhood electric vehicle upon a highway of this
state having a speed limit of thirty-five miles per hour or less if:
(a) The person does not operate a neighborhood electric vehicle
upon state highways that are listed in chapter 47.17 RCW;
(b) The person does not operate a neighborhood electric vehicle
upon a highway of this state without first having obtained and having
in full force and effect a current and proper vehicle license and
display vehicle license number plates in compliance with chapter 46.16
RCW;
(c) The person does not operate a neighborhood electric vehicle
upon a highway of this state without first obtaining a valid driver's
license issued to Washington residents in compliance with chapter 46.20
RCW;
(d) The person does not operate a neighborhood electric vehicle
subject to registration under chapter 46.16 RCW on a highway of this
state unless the person is insured under a motor vehicle liability
policy in compliance with chapter 46.30 RCW; and
(e) The person operating a neighborhood electric vehicle does not
cross a roadway with a speed limit in excess of thirty-five miles per
hour, unless the crossing begins and ends on a roadway with a speed
limit of thirty-five miles per hour or less and occurs at an
intersection of approximately ninety degrees, except that the operator
of a neighborhood electric vehicle must not cross an uncontrolled
intersection of streets and highways that are part of the state highway
system subject to Title 47 RCW unless that intersection has been
authorized by local authorities provided elsewhere in this section.
(2) Any person who violates this section commits a traffic
infraction.
(3) This section does not prevent local authorities, with respect
to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the
reasonable exercise of their police power, from regulating the
operation of neighborhood electric vehicles on streets and highways
under their jurisdiction by resolution or ordinance of the governing
body, if the regulation is consistent with the provisions of this
title, except that:
(a) Local authorities may not authorize the operation of
neighborhood electric vehicles on streets and highways that are part of
the state highway system subject to the provisions of Title 47 RCW;
(b) Local authorities may not prohibit the operation of
neighborhood electric vehicles upon highways of this state having a
speed limit of twenty-five miles per hour or less; and
(c) Local authorities are prohibited from establishing any
requirements for the registration and licensing of neighborhood
electric vehicles.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 This act takes effect August 1, 2003.