HB 1381-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS PASSED LEGISLATURE)

Provides that motor vehicles that have aftermarket hydraulic or mechanical systems that raise or lower the height of the vehicle are prohibited while the motor vehicle is in motion on a public roadway with a posted speed limit of twenty-five miles per hour or greater and with the vehicle speed in excess of fifteen miles per hour, except when lawfully participating in a parade permitted by a local jurisdiction.

Provides that at no time shall any portion of any tire leave the surface of the roadway or any component of the hydraulic system cause or emit sparks. An operator receiving three or more citations for violating this act will be required to remove all hydraulics from the vehicle.

Declares that nothing in this act prohibits a county or city from enacting stricter regulations for aftermarket vehicle hydraulics on a public roadway.

VETO MESSAGE ON 1381-S

May 13, 2005

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning, without my approval, Substitute House Bill No. 1381 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to allowing vehicles with hydraulics to operate on public roadways."

As drafted, Substitute House Bill 1381 would completely prohibit vehicles having aftermarket hydraulic or mechanical systems that raise or lower the height of the vehicle from use on public roadway except when:

•The posted speed limit is twenty five miles per hour or less, and;

•The vehicle speed is fifteen miles per hour or less, or;

•When participating in a parade permitted by a local jurisdiction.

This is not what the legislature intended. I agree with the intended purpose of the bill; that is, to allow the activation of hydraulic or mechanical systems in limited circumstances. The bill, however, does not accomplish this by what amounts to a complete prohibition.

While I am vetoing this bill, I am directing the Chief of the Washington State Patrol, pursuant to the State Patrol's rule-making authority, to examine this issue and to modify WAC 204-90-120 to implement the intent of this legislation.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Substitute House Bill No. 1381 in its entirety.

Respectfully submitted,

Christine O. Gregoire

Governor