SENATE BILL REPORT

SCR 8408

BYSenators DeJarnatt, Patterson and Hansen

Reducing duplication in trucking regulations and enforcement.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 26, 1987; March 3, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Peterson, Chairman; Hansen, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Barr, Bender, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Johnson, Nelson, Patterson, Sellar, Smitherman, von Reichbauer, West.

Senate Staff:Vicki Fabre (786-7313); Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

                  March 13, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 13, 1987

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 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.

Both 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 purpose of the study was to determine if there is overlapping jurisdictional authority, and if so, whether a reduction in duplication was in the public interest.  The Committee concluded that prior to taking legislative action, there was a need to further explore the possibility of reducing duplication through the execution of interagency agreements.

SUMMARY:

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

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: No one