Brief Description: Exempting transport of persons at horse races from licensing.

Sponsors: Representatives Simpson, Appleton, Woods, Cody, P. Sullivan, Dunn and Chase.

Hearing Date: 3/3/05

Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).

Background:

It is unlawful for any person to operate any vehicle along public roads without the proper vehicle license. Exceptions to this law include the following vehicles: motorized foot scooters, electric assisted bicycles, certain farm vehicles, spray or fertilizer rigs, fork lifts, and "special highway construction equipment."

Drivers of commercial motor vehicles are required to have a commercial driver's license, with some exceptions.

When the Emerald Downs racetrack was built, there was a private access road on the property that has since become a public right-of-way, under agreement with the City of Auburn. At Emerald Downs, trams transport visitors from the parking lot to the racetrack.

Summary of Bill:

Trams used for transporting persons to and from facilities related to the horse racing industry are not required to be licensed so long as the public right-of-way over which the tram operates is not more than one mile long, and has an average daily traffic of not more than 15,000 vehicles per day.

A driver transporting people to and from horse racing facilities is not required to have a commercial driver's license, as long as the routes over which this transporting occurs are not more than one mile long, and the public right-of-way on which the driving occurs has an average daily traffic of not more than 15,000 vehicles per day.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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