Title: An act relating to allowing vehicles with aftermarket hydraulic systems to operate on public roadways.

Brief Description: Allowing vehicles with aftermarket hydraulic systems to operate on public roadways.

Sponsors: Representatives Clements, Kenney, Upthegrove and Strow.

Brief History:

Transportation: 1/23/06, 1/25/06 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 27 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Wallace, Vice Chair; Woods, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Buck, Campbell, Clibborn, Curtis, Dickerson, Ericksen, Flannigan, Hankins, Holmquist, Hudgins, Jarrett, Kilmer, Lovick, Nixon, Rodne, Schindler, Shabro, Simpson, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove and Wood.

Staff: Teresa Berntsen (786-7301).

Background:

Vehicle hydraulic systems are sometimes installed on cars that have been lowered and have limited ground clearance. Hydraulics are used to temporarily raise the car to drive over speed bumps or rough roads, or for recreation or show.

Prior to November 2005, Washington Administrative Code (WAC) prohibited aftermarket vehicle hydraulic systems from being activated while the vehicle is driven on a public roadway. The 2005 Legislature passed Substitute House Bill 1381, which allowed the use of vehicle hydraulics on public roads under certain conditions. This bill was vetoed by the Governor due to technical concerns. The Governor directed the Washington State Patrol to implement the intent of the bill by WAC, which took effect in November 2005.

Summary of Bill:

Aftermarket vehicle hydraulic systems are allowed on public roads under the following conditions:

• the posted speed limit on the road is 25 miles per hour or less;
• the vehicle is traveling 15 miles per hour or less;
• no portion of the tire leaves the surface of the roadway; or
• the hydraulic system does not cause or emit sparks.

Local jurisdictions may enact stricter regulations.   

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill was vetoed last year due to technical grounds. The bill is tightly written and would allow aftermarket hydraulics under limited conditions with no adverse impact on safety.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Skinner; and Jeff Devere, Washington State Patrol.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.