HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2775
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. |
As Passed House:
February 13, 2018
Title: An act relating to the color of stop lamps on vehicles.
Brief Description: Clarifying the required color of certain lamps on vehicles.
Sponsors: Representatives Lovick, Haler and Young; by request of Washington State Patrol.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 2/1/18, 2/6/18 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/13/18, 98-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Clibborn, 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, Valdez, Van Werven and Young.
Staff: Paul Ingiosi (786-7114).
Background:
The operation of motor vehicles is regulated under both state and federal law. In order to be eligible for Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program grant funds from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, states must comply with certain federal laws.
Federal code allows rear signal devices to display either a red or amber color and requires rear stop lamps to display a red color only. Washington allows rear signal devices to display or reflect red, amber, or yellow colors and allows rear stop lamps to display a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber.
Summary of Bill:
Rear signal devices may display or reflect a red or amber color and rear stop lamps must display a red light.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
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) Currently, Washington law is out of compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) regarding some vehicle lighting requirements. The issue was discovered during a Washington State Patrol (WSP) audit and the WSP stands to lose over $6 million in grant funding if we remain out of compliance. There is no fiscal impact to making the change, just changing current law to make sure it matches the CFR.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Lovick, prime sponsor; and Monica Alexander, Washington State Patrol.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.