FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5837

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: Addressing high occupancy vehicle lane access for blood-collecting or distributing establishment vehicles.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Saldaña, Hawkins, Hobbs, Hasegawa, Frockt and Kuderer).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background: Current law allows the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and local authorities to reserve portions of any highways under their jurisdiction as limited access facilities, or high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. WSDOT and local authorities are currently authorized to give access to these limited access facilities to the following users:

public transportation vehicles;
motorcycles;
private motor vehicles carrying a minimum of a specified number of passengers; and
certain private transportation provider vehicles with the capacity to carry eight or more people.

Summary: WSDOT is encouraged to reexamine its rules surrounding access to HOV lanes using a public process, specifically looking at impacts of allowing in vehicles that deliver or collect blood, tissue, or blood components. WSDOT is directed to report on progress of this process to the Legislature by January 1, 2019.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	49	0
House	96	0