HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESSB 6359

As Reported by House Committee On:

Transportation

Title:  An act relating to failure to use required traction equipment.

Brief Description:  Penalizing failure to use required traction equipment.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Stevens, Haugen, Rossi and Benton).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation:  3/4/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill

$Failure to use traction equipment is a traffic infraction.

$Technical amendments are made to terminology.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 18 members: Representatives Fisher, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Lovick, Vice Chair; Haigh, Hatfield, Holmquist, Jackley, Jarrett, Mielke, Murray, Ogden, Reardon, Rockefeller, Romero, Schindler, Simpson, Sullivan and Wood.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Mitchell, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Ericksen, Hankins, Morell, Skinner and Woods.

Staff:  Penny Nerup (786‑7335).

Background:

Under current law, failure to use particular tires, tire chains or traction equipment when advised to do so by the Department of Transportation (DOT) is a misdemeanor.  A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Failure to use required traction equipment is reclassified as a traffic infraction with a fine of $500.

Technical amendments are made to update the terminology for road conditions to reflect those actually used by the DOT.   Different recommendations can be made by the DOT or the state patrol for four-wheel drive vehicles in gear.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.