HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5849

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.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill

Provides rules regarding the identification of electric vehicle charging stations.
Establishes a monetary penalty for impermissibly parking a vehicle in a space reserved for electric vehicle parking.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 26 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Fey, Vice Chair; Liias, Vice Chair; Moscoso, Vice Chair; Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Bergquist, Farrell, Freeman, Habib, Hayes, Johnson, Klippert, Kochmar, Kretz, Kristiansen, Moeller, Morris, Riccelli, Rodne, Ryu, Sells, Takko, Tarleton and Zeiger.

Background:

In 2009 the Legislature sought to establish an infrastructure of convenient electric vehicle charging stations. As a part of this effort, the state is obligated to lease space for such charging stations in certain state-owned highway rest stops. Additionally, local jurisdictions were directed to allow for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, and the Department of Commerce was tasked with developing a model ordinance for local governments in siting and installing this infrastructure.

Several local jurisdictions have since adopted ordinances governing electric vehicle charging stations. These ordinances generally provide guidance for the location and design of these stations and require signage indicating the location of charging stations. A violation of these rules is generally a parking infraction that carries a monetary penalty.

By rule, the Washington State Department of Transportation has adopted the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), published by the Federal Highway Safety Administration. The MUTCD provides guidance on a variety of traffic control devices to state and local traffic engineers, and it contains a standard sign for use by governments to indicate the location of an electric vehicle charging station.

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Summary of Bill:

An electric vehicle charging station is defined as a public or private parking space that is served by charging equipment that has, as its primary purpose, the transfer of electric energy to a battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle. Electric vehicle charging stations must be indicated by vertical signage identifying the space as an electric vehicle charging station and indicating that parking is only for electric vehicles that are charging. The sign must be consistent with the MUTCD, and the parking space must be indicated by green pavement markings. Finally, it is a parking infraction with a penalty of $124 for any person to park a vehicle in an electric vehicle charging station if the vehicle is not connected to the charging equipment. This parking infraction applies to spaces on both public and private property that are electric vehicle charging stations.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This legislation addresses four main things that are essential to wide adoption of this technology: (1) ensuring unobstructed access to charging stations; (2) protecting public and private investment in these stations; (3) serving to educate the general public about the inconsiderate nature of parking in front of a charging station; and (4) helping to discourage people from using these spaces for other than their intended purpose. This bill is important to promote electric vehicles in the state.

(Opposed) None.