Brief Description: Concerning the use of a nonhighway vehicle on certain nonhighway roads or trails that are restricted to pedestrian or animal travel.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Parks, Fish & Wildlife (originally sponsored by Senators Parlette, Doumit, Benton, Mulliken, Schmidt and Honeyford).

Hearing Date: 3/28/03

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 (RCW 46.09.120). 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 (RCW 46.09.020). A "non-highway road" is any road other than a highway capable of accommodating a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle (RCW 46.09.020).

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.