Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
HB 2651
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning vehicle maximum gross weight values.
Sponsors: Representatives Rossetti and Orcutt; by request of Department of Transportation.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/8/16
Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).
Background:
No vehicle or combination of vehicles may operate upon the public highways of the State of Washington with a gross weight on any single axle in excess of 20,000 pounds, or upon any group of axles in excess of that which is in a table in statute. The exception is that is two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of 34,000 pounds each, if the distance between the first and last axles of the sets of tandem axels is 36 feet or more. Presently some of the fields in the existing gross weight chart in statute used to establish weight on axles or combination of axles are blank.
The weight chart is based on federal code weight limits (Title 23 CFR Section 658.17) calculated by using the Bridge Gross Weight Formula and the formula is not currently mentioned in the State of Washington statutes. The federal weight limits are to preserve the Interstate Highway System. The State of Washington uses these weight limits for all state highways.
Summary of Bill:
The bill places the maximum gross weights in the fields that are currently missing, and places the formula for calculating the federal code weight limits in statute.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.