HB 1438-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/13/03)

Declares that a "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.

Declares that the provisions of chapter 46.37 RCW with respect to equipment required on vehicles shall not apply to neighborhood electric vehicles, motorcycles, or motor-driven cycles except as herein made applicable.

Provides that, absent prohibition by local authorities authorized under this act and except as prohibited elsewhere in this act, 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 under designated conditions.

Declares that this act 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, including the prohibition of neighborhood electric vehicles on certain streets and highways, by resolution or ordinance of the governing body.