HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2313

BYRepresentatives Crane, Todd, Heavey, Scott, Hine, Jacobsen, Fraser, Spanel, Jones and P. King 

Regulating loose loads in open trucks.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (20)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher, Chair, Baugher, Vice Chair, Eastern Washington; R. Meyers, Vice Chair, Western Washington; Wood, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bennett, Cantwell, Day, G. Fisher, Forner, Gallagher, Heavey, Jones, Kremen, Nelson, Prentice, D. Sommers, Todd, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (4)

      Signed by Representatives Schmidt, Ranking Republican Member; Cooper, Hankins and Walker.

House Staff:Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION FEBRUARY 5, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In 1986 the law prohibiting the movement of loose or leaking loads on public highways was expanded to require (1) that loads of dirt, sand or gravel be covered unless six inches of freeboard is maintained within the vehicle bed, and (2) to require the removal of debris from a vehicle's fenders, frame and wheels prior to movement.

In practice, trucks loaded with dirt, sand or gravel may be six inches below the freeboard at the freeboard itself, but the load may be over six inches at some location within the truck bed.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The covering of a loose load of sand, gravel or dirt is not required if (1) the highest point of material within the bed is no more than six inches above the top edge of the lowest vehicle freeboard, and (2) the material is incapable of spillage.  "Freeboard" means all vertical walls of the load carrying portion of the vehicle.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The original bill addressed all materials; the amended bill addresses only sand, gravel and dirt (return to existing law).  The highest point of the load within the bed is maintained at a level no higher than six inches above the top edge of the vehicle freeboard.  A definition of freeboard is provided.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Bill Alkire, Department of Ecology.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Marty Sangster, Washington Trucking Association; Walter Turner, Washington Dump Truck Association; Roland Dewhurst, Associated General Contractors; Roy Bettesworth, Washington Aggregates & Concrete Association; John Conrad, Department of Transportation; Greg Hanon, Washington Christmas Tree Growers; Bill Fritz, Washington Food Processors Council; and Dan Coyne, Washington State Dairy Federation.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Reducing the height of peak for certain loads is necessary for the safety of the motoring public.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Reducing the height of the peak reduces the carrying capacity, resulting in higher transportation costs and an increase in the number of trips needed.