SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1884

BYRepresentatives Prince, Nealey and D. Sommers 

Permitting legal loads from other states to move in border areas.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 17, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Barr, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Hansen, Kiskaddon, Metcalf, Owen.

Senate Staff:Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

                  February 18, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 17, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Ports of Lewiston, Clarkston and Whitman are located within close proximity on the Washington/Idaho border.  All three ports barge logs down the Snake and Columbia Rivers to Portland for export.

The state of Idaho allows log haulers to carry weights greater than allowed in Washington.  A log truck can carry an additional 3,800 pounds on a tandem axle when operating in the state of Idaho.  The legal limit for a tandem in Idaho is 37,800; in Washington the limit is 34,000.  Because logs are a reducible load, an Idaho truck driver is required to reduce the load when transporting logs to the Ports of Whitman and Clarkston.  Therefore, Idaho log haulers find it more convenient to drop their logs at the Port of Lewiston.  This represents a potential loss of income for the state of Washington.

SUMMARY:

Legal loads of up to 80,000 pounds in a bordering state that imposes a sales tax may be legally transported to a port district in the state of Washington if the movement is within four miles of the bordering state. Such movements are not allowed on the Interstate system.  Triple trailers are not allowed to operate within the four-mile area.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Darrell Russell, Assistant Director, WPPA (for)