HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6606

BYSenators Benitz, Patterson, Stratton, Newhouse, Hansen, Johnson and Smith

Modifying exemptions and penalties for tinting or coloring of motor vehicle windows.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (28)

      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, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, G. Fisher, Forner, Gallagher, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Jones, Kremen, Nelson, Prentice, Prince, Smith, D. Sommers, Todd, Walker, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Louise Bray Sandison (786-7322)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Last year the Legislature amended the law pertaining to the application of film sunscreening material to vehicle windows.  Those changes include the following.

No tinting or coloring material may be applied to the surface of vehicle windows unless it measures a total reflectance of 35 percent or less, plus or minus 3 percent, and a light transmission of 35 percent or more, plus or minus 3 percent, when measured in conjunction with the safety glazing material.  Sunscreening requirements are expanded to include all windows of a motor vehicle.

A greater degree of light reduction is permitted in a vehicle operated by or carrying as a passenger a person who possesses written verification from a physician that the individual must be protected from the sunlight for physical or medical reasons.

The application of sunscreening material is restricted to the top six-inch area of a vehicle's windshield.

If sunscreening material is applied to the rearview window, outside mirrors on both the left and right sides must be located to reflect to the driver a rear view of the roadway, through each mirror, a distance of at least 200 feet.

Any person who operates a vehicle on the public highways with tinting or coloring material in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Limousines and passenger buses used to transport persons for compensation are exempt from the requirements of this section.

SUMMARY:

The maximum level of film sunscreening material that may be applied to windows, except the windshield, is 35 percent with a total light transmission of 35 percent or more, plus or minus 3 percent, and a total reflectance of 35 percent or less, plus or minus 3 percent, when measured against clear glass.  Vehicles with any film sunscreening material applied to any of its windows must be equipped with both right and left outside rearview mirrors.

Limousines, buses transporting persons for compensation, and vehicles identified as multi-purpose or multi-use by the manufacturer may have film sunscreening material applied to windows to the rear of the driver that is less than 35 percent light transmission if the light reflectance is 35 percent or less and the vehicle is equipped with both right and left outside rearview mirrors.

Manufacturers of film sunscreening material are required to provide labels meeting the standards of the Washington State Patrol that indicate the light transmission and reflectance of the film.  Installers are required to affix the label to the area immediately below the federal vehicle identification number sticker on the driver's side striker post.  All vehicles must comply with this requirement by January 1, 1991.

The top six inches of the windshield may have a greater degree of light reduction and clear film sunscreening material may be applied to the windshield to reduce or eliminate ultraviolet light.

It is clarified that a greater degree of light reduction is permitted on any windows and the top six inches of the windshield of vehicles operated by or carrying as a passenger a person possessing a written verification from a physician that the operator or passenger must be protected from exposure to sunlight for physical or medical reasons.

The penalty for operating a vehicle in violation of this section is reduced to a traffic infraction.

It is a misdemeanor to install safety glazing or film sunscreening material in violation of this act.

Owners of vehicles with windows to the rear of the driver's compartment that are not in compliance with this act must comply by July 1, 1993.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 24, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Gordon Walgren, Glass Tinters Association of Washington.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This is a compromise measure necessary to correct problems with last year's window tinting legislation.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.