HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 2636

BYRepresentatives Zellinsky, D. Sommers, Day, Baugher, Van Luven, Kremen, Beck, R. Meyers, Betrozoff, R. Fisher, Prince, Jacobsen, Nealey and Cooper

Exempting emergency service tow trucks from weight and load restrictions.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (24)

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

House Staff:Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 9, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for the issuance of overdimensional and overweight permits to vehicles that exceed the legal weight, height, length and width requirements. By policy, when a tow truck operator removes a disabled overweight or overdimensional vehicle from a public highway, the initial move may be made without first having obtained the proper permits in order to protect the public safety.

If the vehicle is over 34,000 pounds and up to 43,000 pounds on a tandem axle and is a non-reducible load, a DOT-issued permit must be obtained before the vehicle can be transported to its final destination.  To expedite the permitting process for a tow truck operator's subsequent move, the DOT and Washington State Patrol have agreed to issue overweight permits by telephone for weights between 34,000 and 43,000 pounds on the rear tandem axle.  A permit number is given to the tow truck operator that is carried in the vehicle. After the move is completed, the tow operator pays the DOT permit fee.

For non-reducible load tandem axle weights over 43,000 pounds, application must be made to the DOT specifying the proposed routes to be used.  The DOT then determines if the movement can be made without damage to the highway and bridge structures.  The department may accept, modify or deny the proposed route after review by the Bridge Division.

SUMMARY:

The policy that an initial emergency tow of an overweight/overdimensional vehicle to a safe place may be made without obtaining Department of Transportation (DOT) permits is made statutory.  Upon a subsequent move, the operator must obtain a DOT permit for weights between 34,000 and 50,000 pounds on the rear tandem axle.  The DOT may restrict the routing to ensure road and bridge preservation.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Al Reinte, Washington Tow Truck Association; Melvin Dickey, Tukwila Towing; and Ken Nikko, Ken's Towing.

House Committee - Testified Against:      John Conrad, Department of Transportation.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The changes will allow an overweight or overdimensional disabled vehicle to be towed to its destination in a more timely manner.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Allowing weights in excess of 43,000 pounds on a tandem axle by permit endangers the integrity of certain highways and bridges.