FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5812

                              C 264 L 89

BYSenate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senators McCaslin, Warnke, Lee and Johnson)

Prohibiting local regulation of public liability insurance for motor vehicle common carriers to the state.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

House Committe on Transportation

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

All motor freight common carriers operating in intrastate commerce are required to file and maintain liability insurance with the Utilities and Transportation Commission.  The levels of insurance are the same as those used by the U.S. Department of Transportation for interstate carriers.

Cities and counties may also impose liability insurance requirements on common carriers.  For example, Pierce County by practice requires mobile home, trailer home, construction and farm equipment operators to obtain an annual over-dimensional permit and file proof of liability insurance before transporting over-dimensional loads on county roads.

It has been suggested that an unreasonable financial and administrative burden would be placed on motor vehicle common carriers if each city and/or county applied its own separate regulation for liability insurance requirements.

SUMMARY:

State government shall have exclusive authority over liability insurance requirements for common and contract carriers.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   44    2

     House 92  0 (House amended)

     Senate   40    0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989