SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6583

BYSenators McCaslin, Zimmerman, West, Stratton and Anderson

Revising truck length restriction.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 26, 1988; February 2, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6583 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; Barr, Conner, Hansen, Kiskaddon, Owen, Sellar.

Minority Report:  That it not be substituted.

      Signed by Senator Bender.

Senate Staff:Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

                  February 3, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 2, 1988

BACKGROUND:

State law restricts any person from operating any combination of vehicles consisting of more than two vehicles.  State law prescribes the following exceptions:  (1) A combination consisting of a truck tractor, a semitrailer, and another semitrailer or a full trailer; (2) a combination consisting of three trucks or truck tractors used in driveaway service where two of the vehicles are towed by the third in double saddlemount position; (3) a combination consisting of a truck tractor carrying a freight compartment no longer than eight feet, a semitrailer, and another semitrailer or full trailer that meets the legal length requirement for a truck and trailer combination.

The Surface Transportation Act of 1982 standardized many of the vehicle combinations used within the trucking industry.  Triple trailers, the longest possible combination allowed, were authorized at a length not to exceed 105 feet.

Currently, thirteen midwestern and western states have authorized the use of triple trailers on their highways.  In every state there are restrictions.  Some restrictions limit the use of triple trailers to specific sections of interstate highways, and in most states weather restrictions apply.  Triple trailers have been legalized in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada.

SUMMARY:

A combination consisting of a tractor and three trailers, not exceeding 110 feet in length, when operated on or within one mile of a highway that is part of the interstate system and that is within 30 miles of the border of a state that allows operation of similar combinations within those distances in that state is authorized.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The length of a tractor and three trailers is reduced to 105 feet to conform with the legal maximum allowed under federal law.

Triple trailers are restricted to Interstate 90 no more than 30 miles from the Idaho border.  They are allowed to leave the interstate system for one mile only when going directly to or from a distribution center.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator West (for); Jerry White, J. White Associates, Inc. (for); Mike Ryherd, Teamsters (against); Pat Halstead, AAA (against); Marty Sangster, Washington Trucking Association (for); Keith Ottesen, citizen (against); Ken Degerman, CFMF (against)