HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5741

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to exemptions from requirements for trucks to stop at scales.

Brief Description:  Permitting trucks under 16,001 pounds to bypass scales.

Sponsors:  Senators Morton, Goings, Honeyford, T. Sheldon, Swecker, Deccio, Hochstatter, Benton, Zarelli, Long, Hale, Sheahan and Eide.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation:  3/29/99, 3/30/99 [DP].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$A truck weighing less than 16,000 pounds is no longer required to stop at a scale house when open (exemption increased from 10,000 pounds to 16,000 pounds.)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 27 members:  Representatives Fisher, Democratic Co-Chair; K. Schmidt, Republican Co-Chair; Cooper, Democratic 1st Vice Chair; Ericksen, Republican Vice Chair; Hankins, Republican Vice Chair; Buck; G. Chandler; DeBolt; Fortunato; Haigh; Hatfield; Hurst; Lovick; McDonald; Mielke; Mitchell; Morris; Murray; Ogden; Pflug; Radcliff; Romero; Schindler; Schual-Berke; Scott; Skinner and Wood.

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786-7309).

Background:

The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) section of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) is responsible for the operation of the weigh stations located throughout the state.  There are five ports of entry open 24-hours a day, and 43 scale houses that are open on a random basis.  Commercial motor carriers over 10,001 pounds and all carriers of hazardous materials are required to stop at a weigh station when it is open.  In addition to weighing the vehicle, a commercial vehicle enforcement officer may examine the log books and check for proper permits and driver qualifications.

Buses, recreational vehicles used for noncommercial purposes, and a vehicle towing a horse trailer for a noncommercial purpose are not required to stop at the scales.

Oregon requires commercial vehicles weighing 20,00l pounds or more to stop at the scales.  Idaho's minimum weight requirement is 16,001 pounds.

Summary of Bill:

A vehicle weighing 16,000 pounds or less is no longer required to stop at a weigh station when it is open.  (Any carrier of hazardous materials, regardless of weight, is still required to stop at an open scale house.)

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Increasing the minimum weight requirement to 16,000 pounds will bring Washington more in line with our neighboring states, thereby promoting uniformity within the trucking industry.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (Support) Wayne Braddock, Citizen.