Title: An act relating to allowing vehicles with hydraulics to operate on public roadways.

Brief Description: Allowing vehicles with hydraulics to operate on public roadways.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Clements, Kenney and Skinner).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/10/05, 94-0.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/22/05, 3/30/05 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benson, Eide, Esser, Mulliken, Oke, Spanel and Weinstein.

Staff: Hayley Gamble (786-7452)

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

Current Washington Administrative Code provisions prohibit vehicle hydraulic systems from being activated while the vehicle is driven on a public roadway.

Summary of Amended Bill:Vehicle hydraulic systems are allowed on public roads under the following conditions:

• the posted speed limit on the road is less than 25 miles per hour;
• the vehicle is traveling less than15 miles per hour;
• no portion of the tire leaves the surface of the roadway;
• the hydraulic system does not cause or emit sparks; and

   the vehicle is lawfully participating in a parade permitted by a local jurisdiction.

These restrictions do not apply to original manufacturer-installed vehicle hydraulic systems.
If a driver receives three or more citations for a violation of this law, he or she must remove
all hydraulics from the vehicle.    

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: If a vehicle with after-market hydraulics is lawfully participating in a permitted parade the hydraulics may be used while the vehicle is moving.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill is wanted by people who have cars, known as low-riders, so they can raise and lower them. A lot of time and money goes into the hobby of low-rider vehicles. This bill would help low-rider enthusiasts statewide. This bill excludes factory-installed hydraulics.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Clements, prime sponsor; Fred Fakkema, Washington State Patrol.