S-2128.1  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5099

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Sellar, Rasmussen, Benton, Oke, Gardner, Swecker, Goings, Horn, Eide, Patterson, Morton, Prentice and Costa)

Read first time 03/05/99.

Enhancing responsibility and training of commercial vehicle enforcement officers.

    AN ACT Relating to the powers and duties of commercial vehicle enforcement officers; adding new sections to chapter 43.43 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature recognizes that the following factors demonstrate the need for changes in the commercial vehicle enforcement program:

    (1) The presence of commercial motor vehicles on Washington roads and highways is increasing substantially per year;

    (2) Appropriately trained commercial vehicle enforcement officers are essential to ensuring the safety of the traveling public;

    (3) Implementation of the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks program and weigh-in-motion technology will increase program effectiveness and the need for new processes to be used in commercial vehicle enforcement; and

    (4) The Washington state economy is becoming increasingly dependent on the safe and efficient transportation of freight on state highways.

    The legislature finds that enhanced responsibility and training for commercial vehicle enforcement officers will contribute to the efficient and safe delivery of freight in Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 43.43 RCW to read as follows:

    The commercial vehicle enforcement program must be fully staffed using the commercial vehicle enforcement officer and commercial vehicle officer positions, including captains and lieutenants in supervisory positions, and staffing levels as enacted in the transportation budget.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 43.43 RCW to read as follows:

    The powers and duties of the commercial vehicle enforcement officers are to enforce state and federal laws and regulations relating to motor transport carriers and other related statutes and regulations as directed by law.  Commercial vehicle enforcement officers have the same traffic infraction enforcement authority as commissioned Washington state patrol officers as it relates to situations involving commercial vehicles.  Traffic infraction enforcement authority does not include pursuit of vehicles.  The patrol shall provide the training necessary to ensure the safety and success of the officers in these duties.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  A new section is added to chapter 43.43 RCW to read as follows:

    Commercial vehicle enforcement officers may provide medical assistance and direct traffic in situations where the officers can be of assistance.  The patrol shall continue to provide training to commercial vehicle enforcement officers in first aid and traffic control.

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