Title: An act relating to authorization for the department of transportation to allow roadside tire chain installation and removal businesses on state highway rights of way.

Brief Description: Permitting roadside tire chain businesses.

Sponsors: Senators Mulliken, Kastama, Benson, Oke, Esser, Berkey and Sheldon; by request of Department of Transportation.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/16/2006, 1/16/06 [DPS]

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6528 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Benson, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Berkey, Eide, Esser, Finkbeiner, Kastama, Mulliken, Sheldon, Spanel and Weinstein.

Staff: Hayley Gamble (786-7452)

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 of Substitute Bill: 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.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: DOT must adopt rules to implement this bill, including requiring permittees to wear reflective clothing and use appropriate signage.

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: This bill will help improve the safety of the traveling public on mountain passes and help keep traffic moving. Between four and eight times a year, passenger vehicles are required to use tire chains. The public have indicated some interest in having this service. Tire chains will not be sold on the highway. Many people do not know how to correctly use their tire chains.

Testimony Against: None.

Testimony Other: AAA will still be able to offer its services at the roadside under this bill. Installers and their vehicles should be clearly identified for their own safety and the safety of others.

Who Testified: PRO: Chris Christopher; WSDOT, Jeff Devere & Chief John Batiste; WA State Patrol.

CON: None.

OTHER: Dave Overstreet; AAA.