Title: An act relating to covering vehicular loads of dirt, sand, and gravel.

Brief Description: Removing the six inch freeboard exception from the requirement to cover vehicular loads of dirt, sand, or gravel.

Sponsors: Senators Rockefeller, Haugen, Kohl-Welles and McDermott.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/06/08.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Natalie Zukowski (786-7307)

Background: Under current law, a vehicle operating on a paved public highway with a load of dirt, sand, or gravel must be covered to prevent spillage. However, loads are exempt from the cover requirement if six inches of freeboard is maintained within the bed.

Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee was not considered.

SUMMARY OF BILL (Proposed Substitute): A vehicle operating on a paved public highway with a load of dirt, sand, or gravel must be covered at all times to prevent spillage; the exemption to the covered load requirement for loads with at least six inches of freeboard is eliminated.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2010.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Uncovered loads have potential danger on public highways. Spillage can damage other vehicles, and may lead to litigation.

CON: Debris does not always fall from the bed of the truck; a lot of times debris comes off the tires and fenders. There are different ways to address this public safety issue than requiring covered loads.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Rockefeller, prime sponsor; Larry Pursley, Washington Trucking Association; Scott Hazelgrove, Cadman, Inc.

CON: Steve Buckner, Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association; Dan Cox, Concrete Northwest.