FINAL BILL REPORT

SCR 8408

BYSenators DeJarnatt, Patterson and Hansen

Reducing duplication in trucking regulations and enforcement.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committe on Transportation

AS PASSED LEGISLATURE

BACKGROUND:

During the 1986 interim, the Joint Subcommittee on Truck Safety Enforcement, composed of 13 members of the House and Senate Transportation Committees, examined the roles of various state agencies charged with truck safety enforcement.  The study was initiated to determine if there is overlapping jurisdictional authority.

The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) operates the ports of entry and scale houses, and is responsible for weight control and permit enforcement (vehicle license and fuel trip permits, oversize/overweight permits).  The Department of Transportation is the policy agency for issuance of oversize/overweight permits.  Permits may be obtained from the Department, its regional offices or agents, and the WSP.  The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has both safety and economic rule-making and enforcement authority over for-hire carriers.

The Patrol and UTC are authorized to conduct truck safety inspections (equipment, log books, driver qualifications, etc.). The UTC's authority is limited to common/contract (for-hire) carriers and primarily consists of terminal surveys, although port of entry, scale house and on-highway inspections are randomly conducted.  The Patrol is authorized to inspect any carrier and conducts port of entry, scale house and roadside inspections.

The Joint Committee concluded that prior to taking legislative action, there is a need to further explore the possibility of reducing duplication through the execution of interagency agreements.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Patrol, Utilities and Transportation Commission and Department of Transportation are instructed to develop and implement programs to reduce duplication and consolidate truck safety functions.  The programs are to be implemented through interagency agreements.  The affected agencies are required to collectively provide the Legislative Transportation Committee with (1) periodic reports on their progress, and (2) a final report by December 1987 which includes any legislative recommendations for further program changes.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    36     0

      House 92   0