HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1107

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to right of way for transit vehicles.

Brief Description:  Requiring yielding right of way to buses.

Sponsors:  Representatives R. Fisher and Jacobsen.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 4, 1993, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 24 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Jones, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Minority Member; Mielke, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brough; Brumsickle; Cothern; Eide; Finkbeiner; Forner; Fuhrman; Hansen; Heavey; Horn; Johanson; J. Kohl; H. Myers; Orr; Quall; Sheldon; Shin; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Jeff Doyle (786-7322).

Background:  Automobiles are not required to yield the right of way to transit vehicles.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The driver of a vehicle must yield the right of way to a transit vehicle traveling in the same direction that has signaled and is attempting to reenter the flow of traffic.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amended bill clarifies when the driver of a vehicle must yield to transit and places a standard of care upon the transit operator to drive with due regard for the safety of others.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Buses are allowed to reenter the traffic flow after stopping to drop off and pick up passengers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Steve Ross, Amalgamated Transit Union (with concerns); Dan Snow, Washington State Transit Association (with concerns); and Rick Jensen, Washington State Patrol (with concerns).