FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5554

                              C 27 L 90

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Patterson, Hansen, Madsen and Benitz; by request of Utilities and Transportation Commission)

Providing for testing of railroad track scales.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Railroads operating in the state of Washington are required to provide a special car to test track scales for accuracy.  The Utilities and Transportation Commission currently administers the testing program.  There are approximately 33 scale owners and 66 scales in the state which require inspection.  Of the 66 existing truck scales, only eight are railroad-owned.

Most commercial testing and inspections are carried out by the state Department of Agriculture through its weights and measures section.

SUMMARY:

Responsibility for the track scale testing program is transferred from the Utilities and Transportation Commission to the Department of Agriculture.

The responsibility for providing facilities to test track scales and all costs of the program are apportioned among all track scale owners benefiting from the test facilities.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   46    1

     House 97  0

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990