HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1713

                       As Passed House

                       March 15, 1993

Title:  An act relating to tinted windows in motor vehicles.

Brief Description:  Revising vehicular window tinting labels.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Bray, R. Fisher, Grant and Mastin).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 22, 1993, DP;

Passed House, March 15, 1993, 96-1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 27 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; R. Meyers; Miller; H. Myers; Orr; Patterson; Quall; Sheldon; Shin; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Jeff Doyle (786-7322).

Background:  Under current law window tinting applied to windows, except the windshield, must have a total reflectance of 35 percent or less, plus or minus 3 percent, and a light transmission of 35 percent or more, plus or minus 3 percent, when measured against clear glass.  Clear glass is designated as "AS-1" by the Department of Transportation.

Most modern cars, however, contain windows that are designated "AS-2" because they contain slight glazing done by the manufacturer.  In order for the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to correctly measure the amount of light reflectance and transmission, it must distinguish between the two different types of glass used as the "yardstick."

The current standards for light reflectance and transmission do not adjust for the two different types of glass.

Current law requires the manufacturers of the sunscreening material, rather than the installers, to certify that the window glazing conforms to state law.  Yet RCW 46.37.435 places liability upon the installer for sunscreening materials not in conformance with the minimum standards.  Unlawful installation of sunscreening material is punishable as a misdemeanor.

Finally, current law requires that labels be affixed to the vehicle.  The WSP is directed to enact regulations specifying the size of the labels and the information required on the labels.

Summary of Bill:  The minimum light transmission standards are adjusted to take into account the more common AS-2 type glazing applied to modern vehicles.  This provides the Washington State Patrol (WSP) with means to accurately measure light reflectance and transmission on both AS-1 and AS-2 types of glass.

The responsibility for certifying compliance is placed on the installers of window tinting material, since they are also subject to sanctions for improper installation under RCW 46.37.435.

Dimensions and information required for labels are defined in statute, rather than by the WSP.  Each label shall certify that the window tinting materials are in compliance with the minimum regulations.  The labels must be of a certain size, must be affixed to the driver's doorjamb, and must contain the business name and tax identification number of the installer.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The bill allows the State Patrol to accurately measure the level of sunscreening materials applied to windows.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Randy Jerwa, J.J.'s Custom Auto Tint & Detail.