Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
HB 2611
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 Description: Concerning vehicle weight limits for the movement of agricultural commodities.
Sponsors: Representatives Dye, Blake, Schmick, Kretz, McCabe and Condotta.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/28/16
Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).
Background:
In Washington no vehicle or combination of vehicles may operate on the public highways with a gross load on any single axle in excess of 20,000 pounds or upon any group of axles in excess of that designated in statute, except that two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of 34,000 pounds each. Trucks are registered based on a declared gross vehicle weight with a graduated fee schedule in statute. Overweight permits are also available based on a graduated fee schedule.
The board of county commissioners of each county may, by resolution, limit or prohibit classes or types of vehicles on any county road or bridge and may limit the weight of vehicles which may travel on a county road or bridge. Any resolution must be effective for a definite period of time, which must be stated in the resolution.
Summary of Bill:
The bill authorizes a vehicle or combination of vehicles to exceed the weight limits in statute by up to 2,000 pounds when on public highways in Washington. The highways cannot be part of the federal-aid interstate system. The weight increases are limited to non-interstate network highways. The vehicle must also be carrying an agricultural commodity defined in statute as "any plant or part of a plant, or animal, or animal product, produced by a person primarily for sale, consumption, propagation, or use by people or animals."
The bill authorizes a vehicle or combination of a vehicles carrying an agricultural commodity to exceed the weight limits established by a board of county commissioners by up to 2,000 pounds when operating on the public highways.
These exemptions do not allow a vehicle or combination of vehicles to exceed any posted weight limit for a bridge.
A special permit is not required for a vehicle or combination of vehicles meeting these exemptions.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.