HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1154

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to studded tires.

Brief Description:  Outlawing studded tires.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Winsley, Cole, Anderson, Betrozoff, Horn, Broback, Van Luven, Brough, Wynne and Fraser.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 7, 1991, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute House Bill No. 1154 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; R. Meyers, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Cantwell; Day; G. Fisher; Forner; Haugen; Horn; R. Johnson; Kremen; Nelson; and Orr.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cooper; P. Johnson; Jones; Mitchell; Prentice; Schmidt; Wilson; Wood; and Zellinsky. 

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786-7309).

Background:  The state of Washington permits the use of studded tires from November 1 to April 1 of each year.  The Department of Transportation may designate additional periods in which the use of studded tires is legal.  School buses and fire department vehicles are specifically authorized to use studded tires during the effective period.

To help offset pavement damage costs, some states have considered the imposition of certain fees on the sale of studded tires.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The period in which studded tires may be used is decreased by one month (November 1 to March 1).  Authorized emergency vehicles (fire department, law enforcement and ambulance service vehicles) are specifically authorized to use studded tires during the effective period.

Counties are authorized to impose a fee on the sale of studded tires.  The proceeds are divided between the county and the cities therein on the basis of population.  The proceeds are to be used for county road and city street maintenance programs.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The provisions banning the use of studded tires are removed.  The period in which studded tires may be used is decreased.  Authorized emergency vehicles may use studded tires.  A local option fee on the sale of studded tires is added.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  (Substitute) None.

Testimony Against:  (Substitute) None.

Witnesses:  (Substitute) None.