HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2766

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to recreational vehicles.

Brief Description:  Adjusting RV size limits.

Sponsors:  Representatives Cairnes and Hatfield.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation:  2/2/00, 2/3/00 [DPS].

           Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$The legal length for motor homes is increased from 40 feet to 46 feet.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 24 members:  Representatives Fisher, Democratic Co-Chair; Mitchell, Republican Co-Chair; Edwards, Democratic 2nd Vice Chair; Ericksen, Republican Vice Chair; Hankins, Republican Vice Chair; Buck; G. Chandler; DeBolt; Fortunato; Haigh; Hatfield; Hurst; Lovick; McDonald; Murray; Ogden; Pflug; Romero; Schindler; Schual-Berke; Scott; Skinner; Wood and Woods.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Cooper, Democratic 1st Vice Chair.

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786-7309).

Background:

The legal length for a single-unit vehicle is 40 feet.  Certain exceptions are provided, including for-hire, private carrier and school buses which may be 46 feet in length.  Again, over-length permits may be issued by the DOT for over-legal length movements ($10 per trip; $10 for 30 days).

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Motor homes are added to the list of single unit vehicles that may be 46 feet in length.  (The western states of Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado allow 46 foot motor homes.)

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The increased width for recreational vehicles due to mirrors and appurtenances is removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Motor homes have a low accident rate and the surrounding western states allow longer motor homes.

Testimony Against:  (Original bill) There is a real concern about safety and increased vehicle widths.

Testified:  (Supports) Stu Halsan, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association.

  (Opposed) Barry Diseth, Department of Transportation.