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

Brief History: Passed House: 2/09/06, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/22/06, 2/24/06 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Benson, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Eide, Esser, Finkbeiner, Kastama, Sheldon, Spanel and Swecker.

Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)

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.

Summary of Amended Bill: The 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.

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

It makes technical changes for clarity.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: Under current law, every motor vehicle must at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise. Motor vehicle exhaust systems may not be modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the engine above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle. Additionally, it is unlawful for a person to operate a motor vehicle which has been amplified so that the vehicle's exhaust noise exceeds ninety-five decibels. However, proper authorities must prove that the exhaust system modification results in noise amplification in excess of ninety-five decibels.

The language prohibiting noise amplification for a motor vehicle exhaust system in excess of ninety-five decibels is removed. The requirement that proper authorities must prove the modification results in noise amplification in excess of ninety-five decibels is also removed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill will clarify current law and make it consistent with federal manufacturing standards.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Captain Jeff Devere, Washington State Patrol.