FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5593

                              C 28 L 90

BYSenators Patterson, DeJarnatt, McMullen, Nelson, Thorsness, Barr and von Reichbauer; by request of Department of Transportation

Conforming vehicle length requirements to federal law.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committe on Transportation

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In 1982, Congress passed the Surface and Transportation Assistance Act that, among other things, set a length limit on certain vehicles allowed on the interstate highway system.  The current length limit set by state statute for single and double trailers refers to the permanent structure only.  Historically, the Department of Transportation has included load length in these measurements.

In 1988, the Federal Highway Administration, through its rulemaking procedure, clarified the length on automobile transporters to allow loads with a three-foot front overhang and a four-foot rear overhang.

A change in state law is needed to address the recent federal rule change and to clarify existing state law for enforcement purposes.

SUMMARY:

Current law on vehicle length limitations is clarified to mean with or without load.  The three-foot front and four-foot rear overhang on automobile and boat transporters are exempt from statutory load length requirements, as mandated by federal regulation.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   47    0

     House 95  0

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990