READ FIRST TIME 02/17/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to securing vehicle loads on public highways; amending RCW 46.61.655 and 46.63.020; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 46.61.655 and 1990 c 250 s 56 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any public highway unless such vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent any of its load from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping therefrom, except that sand may be dropped for the purpose of securing traction. ((Any person operating a vehicle from which any glass or objects have fallen or escaped, which would constitute an obstruction or injure a vehicle or otherwise endanger travel upon such public highway shall immediately cause the public highway to be cleaned of all such glass or objects and shall pay any costs therefor.))
     (2) No person may operate on any public highway any vehicle with any load unless the load and such covering as required thereon by subsection (3) of this section is securely fastened to prevent the covering or load from becoming loose, detached, or in any manner a hazard to other users of the highway.
     (3) Any vehicle operating on a paved public highway with a load of dirt, sand, or gravel susceptible to being dropped, spilled, leaked, or otherwise escaping therefrom shall be covered so as to prevent spillage. Covering of such loads is not required if six inches of freeboard is maintained within the bed.
     (4)(a) Any person operating a vehicle from which any glass or objects have fallen or escaped, which would constitute an obstruction or injure a vehicle or otherwise endanger travel upon such public highway shall immediately cause the public highway to be cleaned of all such glass or objects and shall pay any costs therefor.
     (b) Any vehicle with deposits of mud, rocks, or other debris on the vehicle's body, fenders, frame, undercarriage, wheels, or tires shall be cleaned of such material before the operation of the vehicle on a paved public highway.
     (5) The state patrol may make necessary rules to carry into effect the provisions of this section, applying such provisions to specific conditions and loads and prescribing means, methods, and practices to effectuate such provisions.
     (6) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit a public maintenance vehicle from dropping sand on a highway to enhance traction, or sprinkling water or other substances to clean or maintain a highway.
     (7)(a)(i) A person is guilty of failure to secure a load in the first degree if he or she, with criminal negligence, fails to secure a load or part of a load to his or her vehicle in compliance with subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this section and causes substantial bodily harm to another.
     (ii) Failure to secure a load in the first degree is a gross misdemeanor.
     (b)(i) A person is guilty of failure to secure a load in the second degree if he or she, with criminal negligence, fails to secure a load or part of a load to his or her vehicle in compliance with subsection (1) or (2) of this section and causes damage to property of another.
     (ii) Failure to secure a load in the second degree is a misdemeanor.
     (c) A person who fails to secure a load or part of a load to his or her vehicle in compliance with subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this section is guilty of an infraction if such failure does not amount to a violation of (a) or (b) of this subsection.

Sec. 2   RCW 46.63.020 and 2004 c 95 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
     Failure to perform any act required or the performance of any act prohibited by this title or an equivalent administrative regulation or local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution relating to traffic including parking, standing, stopping, and pedestrian offenses, is designated as a traffic infraction and may not be classified as a criminal offense, except for an offense contained in the following provisions of this title or a violation of an equivalent administrative regulation or local law, ordinance, regulation, or resolution:
     (1) RCW 46.09.120(2) relating to the operation of a nonhighway vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance;
     (2) RCW 46.09.130 relating to operation of nonhighway vehicles;
     (3) RCW 46.10.090(2) relating to the operation of a snowmobile while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics or habit-forming drugs or in a manner endangering the person of another;
     (4) RCW 46.10.130 relating to the operation of snowmobiles;
     (5) Chapter 46.12 RCW relating to certificates of ownership and registration and markings indicating that a vehicle has been destroyed or declared a total loss;
     (6) RCW 46.16.010 relating to initial registration of motor vehicles;
     (7) RCW 46.16.011 relating to permitting unauthorized persons to drive;
     (8) RCW 46.16.160 relating to vehicle trip permits;
     (9) RCW 46.16.381(2) relating to knowingly providing false information in conjunction with an application for a special placard or license plate for disabled persons' parking;
     (10) RCW 46.20.005 relating to driving without a valid driver's license;
     (11) RCW 46.20.091 relating to false statements regarding a driver's license or instruction permit;
     (12) RCW 46.20.0921 relating to the unlawful possession and use of a driver's license;
     (13) RCW 46.20.342 relating to driving with a suspended or revoked license or status;
     (14) RCW 46.20.345 relating to the operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license;
     (15) RCW 46.20.410 relating to the violation of restrictions of an occupational or temporary restricted driver's license;
     (16) RCW 46.20.740 relating to operation of a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device in violation of a license notation that the device is required;
     (17) RCW 46.20.750 relating to assisting another person to start a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device;
     (18) RCW 46.25.170 relating to commercial driver's licenses;
     (19) Chapter 46.29 RCW relating to financial responsibility;
     (20) RCW 46.30.040 relating to providing false evidence of financial responsibility;
     (21) RCW 46.37.435 relating to wrongful installation of sunscreening material;
     (22) RCW 46.37.650 relating to the sale, resale, distribution, or installation of a previously deployed air bag;
     (23) RCW 46.44.180 relating to operation of mobile home pilot vehicles;
     (24) RCW 46.48.175 relating to the transportation of dangerous articles;
     (25) RCW 46.52.010 relating to duty on striking an unattended car or other property;
     (26) RCW 46.52.020 relating to duty in case of injury to or death of a person or damage to an attended vehicle;
     (27) RCW 46.52.090 relating to reports by repairmen, storagemen, and appraisers;
     (28) RCW 46.52.130 relating to confidentiality of the driving record to be furnished to an insurance company, an employer, and an alcohol/drug assessment or treatment agency;
     (29) RCW 46.55.020 relating to engaging in the activities of a registered tow truck operator without a registration certificate;
     (30) RCW 46.55.035 relating to prohibited practices by tow truck operators;
     (31) RCW 46.61.015 relating to obedience to police officers, flaggers, or fire fighters;
     (32) RCW 46.61.020 relating to refusal to give information to or cooperate with an officer;
     (33) RCW 46.61.022 relating to failure to stop and give identification to an officer;
     (34) RCW 46.61.024 relating to attempting to elude pursuing police vehicles;
     (35) RCW 46.61.500 relating to reckless driving;
     (36) RCW 46.61.502 and 46.61.504 relating to persons under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs;
     (37) RCW 46.61.503 relating to a person under age twenty-one driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol;
     (38) RCW 46.61.520 relating to vehicular homicide by motor vehicle;
     (39) RCW 46.61.522 relating to vehicular assault;
     (40) RCW 46.61.5249 relating to first degree negligent driving;
     (41) RCW 46.61.527(4) relating to reckless endangerment of roadway workers;
     (42) RCW 46.61.530 relating to racing of vehicles on highways;
     (43) RCW 46.61.655(7) (a) and (b) relating to failure to secure a load;
     (44) RCW 46.61.685 relating to leaving children in an unattended vehicle with the motor running;
     (((44))) (45) RCW 46.61.740 relating to theft of motor vehicle fuel;
     (((45))) (46) RCW 46.64.010 relating to unlawful cancellation of or attempt to cancel a traffic citation;
     (((46))) (47) RCW 46.64.048 relating to attempting, aiding, abetting, coercing, and committing crimes;
     (((47))) (48) Chapter 46.65 RCW relating to habitual traffic offenders;
     (((48))) (49) RCW 46.68.010 relating to false statements made to obtain a refund;
     (((49))) (50) Chapter 46.70 RCW relating to unfair motor vehicle business practices, except where that chapter provides for the assessment of monetary penalties of a civil nature;
     (((50))) (51) Chapter 46.72 RCW relating to the transportation of passengers in for hire vehicles;
     (((51))) (52) RCW 46.72A.060 relating to limousine carrier insurance;
     (((52))) (53) RCW 46.72A.070 relating to operation of a limousine without a vehicle certificate;
     (((53))) (54) RCW 46.72A.080 relating to false advertising by a limousine carrier;
     (((54))) (55) Chapter 46.80 RCW relating to motor vehicle wreckers;
     (((55))) (56) Chapter 46.82 RCW relating to driver's training schools;
     (((56))) (57) RCW 46.87.260 relating to alteration or forgery of a cab card, letter of authority, or other temporary authority issued under chapter 46.87 RCW;
     (((57))) (58) RCW 46.87.290 relating to operation of an unregistered or unlicensed vehicle under chapter 46.87 RCW.