Title: An act relating to commercial driver's licenses reciprocity agreements.

Brief Description: Permitting commercial driver's license reciprocity agreements.

Sponsors: Senators Schoesler, Jacobsen, Rasmussen, Rockefeller, Morton, Sheldon and Delvin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/26/06, 2/6/06 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Benson, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Berkey, Eide, Esser, Kastama, Mulliken, Oke, Sheldon, Spanel, Swecker and Weinstein.

Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)

Background: In order to operate a commercial motor vehicle in Washington on public highways, generally a person must hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) with the applicable endorsements for the vehicle they are driving. Exempt from this requirement are the following:
   1)   The operator of a farm vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer. The vehicle itself must be used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm. Additionally, the vehicle cannot be used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier and it must be used within one hundred fifty miles of the person's farm;
   2)   A firefighter or law enforcement officer operating emergency equipment who has completed an approved driver training course; and
   3)   The operator of a recreational vehicle used for noncommercial purposes.

Federal rules prohibit these exemptions in Washington for non-Washington CDL holders unless there is a reciprocity agreement in place with adjoining states.

Summary of Bill: The Department of Licensing is directed to enter into reciprocity agreements with adjoining states.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: Many farms are located at the borders which makes this bill a necessity.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Mark Schoesler, prime sponsor.