Brief Description: Harmonizing vehicle size limits with federal rules.

Sponsors: Representatives Kilmer, Wallace and Woods; by request of Department of Transportation.

Hearing Date: 1/27/05

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

Vehicles considered "specialized equipment" include auto and boat carriers, certain cranes, concrete pumper trucks and various well drilling apparatus. Many of these vehicles classes are permitted on a class by class basis, and some are unable to operate due to incompatibilities with current law. The Federal Highway Administration recently adopted a new federal rule in the category of specialized equipment regarding a vehicle combination used for moving explosives. In order for it to operate in Washington, changes to current law would need to be made.

The Federal Highway Administration also revised their rule regarding external rearview mirrors used on vehicles engaged in interstate transport, which placed state law out of compliance. In addition, the federal list of measurement exclusive devices is dynamic, doubling in the last five years, with further revisions nearing adoption. Each change places state law out of compliance.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Transportation will have the ability to adopt rules regulating the size and weight of vehicles considered to be specialized equipment by the Federal Highway Administration, in the case of interstate travel, or the Department of Transportation, in the case of intrastate travel.

The partial list of safety and energy conservation devices excluded from the vehicle width and length requirements is repealed. Instead, the Department of Transportation is required to adopt rules identifying certain devices attached to vehicles for safety, energy conservation, or other necessary purposes. These devices will be excluded from calculations of the vehicles length or width, provided that these devices are not designed or used to carry cargo.

External rearview mirrors are no longer limited to extending no more than five inches beyond the width limit of the vehicle. They may extend beyond the width limits of the vehicle to a point that allows conformance with the Federal National Safety Standard and RCW 46.37.400.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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