Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
SB 6218
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: Bringing the state into compliance with the federal FAST act.
Sponsors: Senators King, Hobbs and Darneille; by request of Department of Transportation.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/21/18
Staff: Paul Ingiosi (786-7114).
Background:
State law sets the maximum allowable lengths for operating a vehicle on public highways, limiting the overall length to 40 feet unless the vehicle meets certain specified exceptions. Additionally, operation of any combination of a tractor and semi-trailer is limited to a length that may not exceed 53 feet, except in the case of a tractor and two trailers, in which case the length is limited to 61 feet.
The federal Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), signed into law on December 4, 2015, included a number of provisions that modify federal requirements regarding the size and weight of vehicles that may travel on the Interstate System and the National Network. The Washington State Department of Transportation is required to comply with federal code in order to be eligible for federal-aid highway funds. Washington received approximately $728 million in federal aid-highway funding for federal fiscal year 2017.
Summary of Bill:
An exception is provided for the length limitation for two trailers or semi-trailers in instances where the weight does not exceed 26,000 pounds and when the trailers or semi-trailers do not carry property but constitute inventory property of a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer of such trailers. Trailers or semi-trailers that meet these criteria are limited to a length that may not exceed 82 feet of overall length.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.