HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6464

BYSenators Patrick, Vognild, West, Rasmussen and Wojahn

Exempting law enforcement officers from commercial driver's license requirements.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (23)

      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, Betrozoff, Cooper, Day, G. Fisher, Gallagher, Hankins, Kremen, Nelson, Prentice, Prince, Smith, D. Sommers, Todd, Walker, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 26, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 requires all commercial vehicle drivers to obtain a commercial driver's license by April 1, 1992.  When the Washington Legislature enacted the federal statute in the 1989 Legislature, it provided for federally approved exemptions.

The current exemptions apply to drivers of farm vehicles, firefighters who have completed a training course, and a driver who is operating a recreational vehicle for noncommercial purposes.

SUMMARY:

An exemption is provided for a law enforcement officer operating emergency equipment.  Law enforcement officers must pass a driver's training course approved by the Department of Licensing.

An exemption is also provided for a vehicle towing a horse trailer for a noncommercial purpose.

Fiscal Note:      No Impact.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Charlie Marsh, State Council of Police Officers.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Law enforcement officers receive special driver training for their types of vehicles.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.