HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESSB 5785
As Passed House:
April 16, 2003
Title: An act relating to the use of a vehicle on a nonhighway road or trail.
Brief Description: Concerning the use of a nonhighway vehicle on certain nonhighway roads or trails that are restricted to pedestrian or animal travel.
Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Parks, Fish & Wildlife (originally sponsored by Senators Parlette, Doumit, Benton, Mulliken, Schmidt and Honeyford).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Fisheries, Ecology & Parks: 3/28/03, 4/1/03 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 4/16/03, 97-0.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill |
• Changes the traffic infraction of operating a non-highway vehicle on a trail which is restricted to pedestrians or animal travel, so that it is a traffic infraction to operate a non-highway vehicle on a trail when it is restricted to pedestrian or animal travel. |
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES, ECOLOGY & PARKS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Cooper, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buck, Hatfield, O'Brien, Pearson and Upthegrove.
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).
Background:
It is a traffic infraction for a person to operate any non-highway vehicle on any non-highway road or trail which is restricted to pedestrians or animal travel. A "non-highway vehicle" is a motorized vehicle used on recreational trails. Non-highway vehicles include motorcycles, dune buggies, four-wheel drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and amphibious vehicles. A "non-highway road" is any road other than a highway capable of accommodating a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle.
Summary of Bill:
The traffic infraction of operating a non-highway vehicle on a trail which is restricted to pedestrians or animal travel is changed so that it is a traffic infraction to operate a non-highway vehicle on a trail when it is restricted to pedestrian or animal travel.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not Requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: This bill has been worked with stakeholders to increase the recreational opportunities on national forests in Washington. The bill allows property managers the flexibility they need to allow what they feel is proper on their land.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: (In support) Tom Baskin, Disabled Sportsmen Association.