Title: An act relating to exempting out-of-state persons from having to obtain commercial driver's licenses.

Brief Description: Exempting out-of-state persons from having to obtain commercial driver's licenses.

Sponsors: By Representatives Buri, Grant, Holmquist, Haler, Linville, Kretz, McCune and Dunn.

Brief History:

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

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/14/06, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 28 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, Morris, Nixon, Rodne, Schindler, Shabro, Simpson, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove and Wood.

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

In order to operate a commercial motor vehicle in Washington, a person generally must hold a commercial driver's license with the applicable endorsements for the vehicle they are driving.

However, this requirement does not apply to the following persons:

• the operator of a farm vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer. The vehicle itself must also be used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm. Finally, the vehicle cannot be used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier, and it must be used within 150 miles of the person's farm.
• a firefighter or law enforcement officer operating emergency equipment who has completed an approved driver training course.
• the operator of a recreational vehicle used for noncommercial purposes.

Summary of Bill:

Allows the Department of Licensing, pursuant to 49 CFR 383.3(d), to enter into reciprocal agreements with adjoining states to exempt persons from those states who are operating farm vehicles and emergency equipment and meet certain requirements, from the requirement to hold a commercial driver's license.

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: Farmers often own various properties that are quite spread out. This bill allows them to transport various items between these properties. It is common sense legislation.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Buri, prime sponsor; and Patrick Connor, Washington Farm Bureau.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.