HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1149

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.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Chapman, Clibborn, Orcutt and Fey).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 1/19/17, 2/1/17 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/27/17, 91-6.

Passed Senate: 4/5/17, 47-0.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Exempts public transit vehicles equipped with a bike rack up to four feet in length from the three-foot vehicle front extension limit.
Excludes bike racks up to four feet in length when determining the overall length of articulated auto stages.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Farrell, Vice Chair; Fey, Vice Chair; Wylie, Vice Chair; Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Harmsworth, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chapman, Gregerson, Hayes, Irwin, Kloba, Lovick, McBride, Morris, Ortiz-Self, Pellicciotti, Pike, Riccelli, Rodne, Shea, Stambaugh, Tarleton, Van Werven and Young.

Background:

State law sets the maximum allowable lengths of front and rear vehicle protrusions. Under current law, originally established by the Washington Motor Vehicle Act (Senate Bill 148) in 1937, the load, or any portion of any vehicle, or the load, or any portion of the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles, shall not extend more than three feet beyond the front wheels of such vehicle, or the front bumper, if equipped with a front bumper. In 1997 the law was amended by Substitute House Bill 1594 to exempt front-loading garbage or recycling trucks while on route and actually engaged in the collection of solid waste or recyclables at speeds of 20 miles per hour or less.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The bill exempts public transit vehicles equipped with a bike rack from the three-foot vehicle extension limit.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The bill allows for a less bureaucratic, longer-term solution for transit agencies with bike racks whose lengths are above the current limit and also encourages mode splits between transit users, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Chapman, prime sponsor; and Justin Leighton, Washington State Transit Association.