FINAL BILL REPORT
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. |
C 105 L 18
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Bringing the state into compliance with the federal FAST act.
Sponsors: Senators King, Hobbs and Darneille; by request of Department of Transportation.
Senate Committee on Transportation
House Committee on Transportation
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 change to 49 U.S.C. 31111 (Length Limitations), affecting towaway trailer transporter combinations and prohibited states from enforcing a length limitation of less than 82 feet on such vehicle combinations.
Summary: An exception is provided for the length limitation for a vehicle towing 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. Vehicle combinations meeting these criteria are limited to an overall length that may not exceed 82 feet.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 45 | 1 | |
House | 98 | 0 |
Effective: | June 7, 2018 |