BILL REQ. #:  H-4555.1 

Read first time 01/22/10.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to expanding the use of certain electric vehicles; and amending RCW 46.04.295, 46.61.723, and 46.61.725.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 46.04.295 and 2007 c 510 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     "Medium-speed electric vehicle" means a self-propelled, electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle, equipped with a roll cage or crush-proof body design, whose speed attainable in one mile is more than ((thirty)) twenty-five miles per hour but not more than thirty-five miles per hour and otherwise meets or exceeds the federal regulations set forth in 49 C.F.R. Sec. 571.500.

Sec. 2   RCW 46.61.723 and 2007 c 510 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a person may operate a medium-speed electric vehicle upon a highway of this state having a speed limit of ((thirty-five)) forty-five miles per hour or less if:
     (a) The person does not operate a medium-speed electric vehicle upon state highways that are listed in chapter 47.17 RCW;
     (b) The person does not operate a medium-speed electric vehicle upon a highway of this state without first having obtained and having in full force and effect a current and proper vehicle license and display vehicle license number plates in compliance with chapter 46.16 RCW;
     (c) The person does not operate a medium-speed electric vehicle upon a highway of this state without first obtaining a valid driver's license issued to Washington residents in compliance with chapter 46.20 RCW;
     (d) The person does not operate a medium-speed electric vehicle subject to registration under chapter 46.16 RCW on a highway of this state unless the person is insured under a motor vehicle liability policy in compliance with chapter 46.30 RCW; and
     (e) The person operating a medium-speed electric vehicle does not cross a roadway with a speed limit in excess of ((thirty-five)) forty-five miles per hour, unless the crossing begins and ends on a roadway with a speed limit of ((thirty-five)) forty-five miles per hour or less and occurs at an intersection of approximately ninety degrees, except that the operator of a medium-speed electric vehicle must not cross an uncontrolled intersection of streets and highways that are part of the state highway system subject to Title 47 RCW unless that intersection has been authorized by local authorities under subsection (3) of this section.
     (2) Any person who violates this section commits a traffic infraction.
     (3) This section does not prevent local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of their police power, from regulating the operation of medium-speed electric vehicles on streets and highways under their jurisdiction by resolution or ordinance of the governing body, if the regulation is consistent with this title, except that:
     (a) Local authorities may not authorize the operation of medium-speed electric vehicles on streets and highways that are part of the state highway system subject to Title 47 RCW;
     (b) Local authorities may not prohibit the operation of medium- speed electric vehicles upon highways of this state having a speed limit of thirty-five miles per hour or less; and
     (c) Local authorities may not establish requirements for the registration and licensing of medium-speed electric vehicles.

Sec. 3   RCW 46.61.725 and 2003 c 353 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Absent prohibition by local authorities authorized under this section and except as prohibited elsewhere in this section, a person may operate a neighborhood electric vehicle upon a highway of this state having a speed limit of ((thirty-five)) forty-five miles per hour or less if:
     (a) The person does not operate a neighborhood electric vehicle upon state highways that are listed in chapter 47.17 RCW;
     (b) The person does not operate a neighborhood electric vehicle upon a highway of this state without first having obtained and having in full force and effect a current and proper vehicle license and display vehicle license number plates in compliance with chapter 46.16 RCW;
     (c) The person does not operate a neighborhood electric vehicle upon a highway of this state without first obtaining a valid driver's license issued to Washington residents in compliance with chapter 46.20 RCW;
     (d) The person does not operate a neighborhood electric vehicle subject to registration under chapter 46.16 RCW on a highway of this state unless the person is insured under a motor vehicle liability policy in compliance with chapter 46.30 RCW; and
     (e) The person operating a neighborhood electric vehicle does not cross a roadway with a speed limit in excess of ((thirty-five)) forty-five miles per hour, unless the crossing begins and ends on a roadway with a speed limit of ((thirty-five)) forty-five miles per hour or less and occurs at an intersection of approximately ninety degrees, except that the operator of a neighborhood electric vehicle must not cross an uncontrolled intersection of streets and highways that are part of the state highway system subject to Title 47 RCW unless that intersection has been authorized by local authorities provided elsewhere in this section.
     (2) Any person who violates this section commits a traffic infraction.
     (3) This section does not prevent local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of their police power, from regulating the operation of neighborhood electric vehicles on streets and highways under their jurisdiction by resolution or ordinance of the governing body, if the regulation is consistent with the provisions of this title, except that:
     (a) Local authorities may not authorize the operation of neighborhood electric vehicles on streets and highways that are part of the state highway system subject to the provisions of Title 47 RCW;
     (b) Local authorities may not prohibit the operation of neighborhood electric vehicles upon highways of this state having a speed limit of twenty-five miles per hour or less; and
     (c) Local authorities are prohibited from establishing any requirements for the registration and licensing of neighborhood electric vehicles.