Title: An act relating to limiting the posting of hazards to motorcycles to paved roadways.

Brief Description: Limiting the posting of hazards to motorcycles to paved roadways.

Sponsors: By Senators Mulliken, Benson, Schoesler and Sheldon.

Brief History:

Transportation: 2/21/06, 2/22/06 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/1/06, 98-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 28 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, Morris, Nixon, Rodne, Schindler, Sells, Shabro, Simpson, Takko, Upthegrove and Wood.

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

When construction, repair, or maintenance work is conducted on or adjacent to a public highway, county road, street, bridge, or other thoroughfare commonly traveled that interferes with travel on that route, the site must be properly posted by signs, or flagmen or both. Furthermore, the signs used must be consistent with the guidelines established by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

In addition, if the road work involves the use of grooved pavement, abrupt lane edges, steel plates or gravel or earth surfaces, the signs posted must, among other things, warn motorcyclists of the potential hazards. The signs warning the motorcyclists must at least include the language, "MOTORCYCLES USE EXTREME CAUTION."

Violation of these requirements is a misdemeanor, with each noncomplying day of work constituting a separate violation.

Summary of Bill:

Limits the requirement to warn motorcyclists to use extreme caution in areas of construction, repair, or maintenance where grooved pavement, abrupt lane edges, steel plates, or gravel or earth surfaces are present. Signs stating, "MOTORCYCLES USE EXTREME CAUTION" must be posted only when these conditions are present during construction, repair, or maintenance on a paved public highway, county road, street, bridge, or other thoroughfare commonly traveled.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This bill is identical to the House companion which passed out of committee unanimously. The cost and time involved in posting these signs on dirt and gravel roads is quite high, but the motorcycle traffic is very light.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Julie sexton, Washington Association of Counties.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.