SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6255

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators West, Patterson, Smith, Zimmerman, Benitz and Barr)

Creating a zone where interstate trip permits are not required.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6255 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

                  March 1, 1988

House Committe on Transportation

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1988

BACKGROUND:

For many years there has been an informal agreement between the vehicle licensing departments in the states of Idaho and Washington that vehicles registered in one state need not register in the other state when operating on certain border highways.  The requirement that a vehicle must be fully registered, prorated or purchase a vehicle trip permit is waived.

A four-mile segment of SR 195 from Pullman to Lewiston/Clarkston makes a loop into Idaho.  Through an informal agreement, the state of Idaho has not required Washington-based vehicles to register in Idaho or purchase an Idaho vehicle trip permit.  Conversely, Washington does not require Idaho vehicles to register or purchase a vehicle trip permit when operating on SR 95 between Lewiston and Clarkston.  Occasionally the informal system breaks down when new law enforcement personnel are transferred to the area.  The Department of Licensing has reciprocity powers and is now in the process of negotiating an agreement with the state of Idaho which will formalize the current practice.

Formalizing the vehicle licensing agreement solves only part of the problem. A common or contract carrier must register its vehicles with the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission (UTC) or purchase a vehicle regulatory trip permit when travelling on Washington highways.  The permit is issued in lieu of the annual regulatory and stamp fees, and authorizes a one-way trip into, out of, or across the state for a fee of $10.  By law, the UTC is required to register or issue a trip permit to an Idaho carrier when travelling between Lewiston and Clarkston.  The UTC does not have reciprocity powers and therefore cannot enter into an agreement with Idaho to waive the permit requirement.

SUMMARY:

The Utilities and Transportation Commission is authorized to enter into agreements with contiguous states or provinces allowing properly registered commercial vehicles to operate without a trip permit within designated border areas if the jurisdiction grants a similar privilege to operators of commercial vehicles from Washington.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator West (for); Alan Scott, UTC; Paul Downey, DOL

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

The UTC may enter into a reciprocity agreement with the state of Idaho for purposes of waiving the regulatory registration requirements in a designated bordering area if the same privilege is afforded Washington-based common and contract carriers.  The initial designation border area is the four-mile segment of SR 195 from the Idaho border to Lewiston, and SR 12 from Lewiston to Clarkston.  Any future reciprocal agreements proposed by the UTC must be submitted to the Legislative Transportation Committee for approval prior to implementation.