SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5593

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

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 2, 1989; February 15, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Barr, Benitz, DeJarnatt, Madsen, Murray, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Vicki Fabre' (786-7313)

                  February 10, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 9, 1990

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.  Therefore state statute now defines an automobile transporter as a vehicle 75 feet overall, including load.

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.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Terry Corrigan, Department of Transportation