Title: An act relating to vehicle equipment standards related to original equipment installed.

Brief Description: Modifying vehicle equipment standards related to original equipment installed.

Sponsors: By Representatives Lovick, Kessler, P. Sullivan, Haler and O'Brien; by request of Washington State Patrol.

Brief History:

Transportation: 1/16/06, 1/25/06 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/9/06, 98-0.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 3/3/06, 46-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 27 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Wallace, Vice Chair; Woods, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Buck, Campbell, Clibborn, Curtis, Dickerson, Ericksen, Flannigan, Hankins, Holmquist, Hudgins, Jarrett, Kilmer, Lovick, Nixon, Rodne, Schindler, Shabro, Simpson, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove and Wood.

Staff: Teresa Berntsen (786-7301).

Background:

Current law requires vehicles to have two or more stop lamps (brake lights). Federal law requires a third rear, high-centered brake light for passenger cars manufactured after September 1, 1985, and for trucks, vans, and sports utility vehicles manufactured after September 1, 1993.

In a 2005 court case, a judge found that a Washington State Patrol officer did not have probable cause to stop a driver because one of the vehicle's three brake lights was not working.

Summary of Bill:

Requires all passenger cars manufactured after September 1, 1985, and all passenger trucks, vans, and sports utility vehicles manufactured after September 1, 1993, to have a third stop lamp (brake light). The brake light must be a rear, center high-mounted light that meets certain visibility requirements, consistent with federal regulation.

Clarifies that all required lights and equipment on a vehicle must be in proper working condition.

Makes technical changes for clarity.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):

Removes prohibition against operating a motor vehicle with an exhaust system that emits a noise exceeding ninety-five decibels. Removes language stating that a violation does not occur unless the local authority proves a vehicle's modified exhaust system exceeds ninety-five decibels. Retains other vehicle exhaust system requirements in current law.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: Brake lights are important for safety, and its is important that state law is updated to require that all lights are in working order, as required by federal law. The State Patrol lost a case due to a technicality that would be fixed by this bill. This bill will avoid further confusion.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Lovick, prime sponsor; and Jeff Devere, Washington State Patrol.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.