FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1358

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background:

A saddlemount combination is a combination of vehicles in which a truck or truck tractor tows one or more trucks or truck tractors. Each one is connected by a saddle or fifth wheel to the vehicle in front of it. The saddle is a mechanism that connects the front axle of the towed vehicle to the frame or fifth wheel of the vehicle in front and functions like a fifth wheel kingpin connection. When two vehicles are towed in this manner, the combination is called a double saddlemount combination. When three vehicles are towed in this manner, the combination is called a triple saddlemount combination. These combinations are used when there is a need to move multiple vehicles, for example, from a truck manufacturer to a truck dealer.

Washington law prohibits a combination of these vehicles to exceed 75 feet in overall length. In 2005 federal law was changed to prohibit any state from imposing a length for these saddlemount combinations of no less or more than 97 feet.

Federal law states that non-compliance with the federally mandated saddlemount length could lead to a 10 percent reduction of federal aid for the National Highway System apportioned to the state for the next fiscal year.

When seeking to enforce a federal law or regulation, an agency, through the Washington Administrative Code, may adopt the federal rules and regulations as a state rule.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	94	0
Senate	49	0