FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1589

C 109 L 04

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Allowing annual permits for oversize towing operations.

Sponsors: By Representatives Murray and Woods.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation

Background:

Operators of overweight or oversized vehicles must obtain a special permit from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to travel on the state highway system. Permits issued may be valid anywhere from one day to one year, although there are no long-term permit categories for tow trucks.

If a tow truck is hired to tow an oversized or overweight vehicle, the tow truck operator must obtain a permit, valid for that single tow operation from the WSDOT. The WSDOT charges according to the weight of the tow vehicle and the number of miles the vehicle will be towed. Fees for this type of permit range from $14 to several hundred dollars.

Before July 1, 2004, if there was an emergency requiring an oversized/overweight vehicle to be towed outside regular business hours, the tow truck company could obtain the permit from the Washington State Patrol (WSP). However, the WSP discontinued this service as of July 1, 2003, which means that tow truck companies must obtain the necessary permits in advance of a tow or wait until the WSDOT offices are open for business.

Summary:

Two new overweight/oversize permit categories are created for class C and class B tow trucks that perform emergency and nonemergency tows of oversize or overweight vehicles. Permits are valid for one year. The permit fee for class C tow trucks is $150 per year and $75 per year for class B tow trucks.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 95  0

Senate 48  0

Effective: June 10, 2004