Brief Description: Permitting roadside tire chain businesses.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Mulliken, Kastama, Benson, Oke, Esser, Berkey and Sheldon; by request of Department of Transportation).

Senate Committee on Transportation
House Committee on Transportation

Background: During certain weather conditions involving ice and snow, the Department of Transportation (DOT) may require vehicles traveling on mountain passes to use tire chains. In some cases, drivers are not familiar with how to attach tire chains and/or would prefer someone else to perform the task of tire chain attachment. Current law is silent on the practice of installing tire chains within DOT right of way and charging a fee for this service.

Other states, such as California, permit businesses to operate in the state highway right of way that offer tire chain installation and removal services for a fee.

Summary: DOT may issue permits to allow the installation or removal of tire chains on motor vehicles within the DOT right of way. Tire chains may only be installed or removed at locations designated in the permit. A fee may be charged to drivers for this service.

DOT may determine how many permits are desirable to provide maximum convenience and safety to traffic and must adopt other implementation rules, including requiring permittees to wear reflective clothing and use appropriate signage.

DOT liability protection provisions are included in this bill.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      44   0
House      97   0   (House amended)
Senate      46   0   (Senate concurred)

Effective: June 7, 2006