HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2270

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 Reported by House Committee On:

Transportation

Title: An act relating to stop signal warning devices on school buses.

Brief Description: Adjusting stop signal requirements for school buses.

Sponsors: Representatives Dolan, Thai and Wylie; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 1/23/20, 1/29/20 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Modifies the minimum height of the STOP letters on school bus stop signals.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 31 members: Representatives Fey, Chair; Wylie, 1st Vice Chair; Slatter, 2nd Vice Chair; Valdez, 2nd Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Young, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Boehnke, Chambers, Chapman, Dent, Doglio, Duerr, Dufault, Entenman, Eslick, Goehner, Gregerson, Irwin, Kloba, Lovick, McCaslin, Mead, Orcutt, Ortiz-Self, Paul, Ramos, Riccelli, Shewmake, Van Werven and Volz.

Background:

Every school bus and private carrier bus shall be equipped with a stop signal upon a background not less than 14 inches by 18 inches displaying the word "STOP" in letters of distinctly contrasting colors not less than 8 inches high.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The substitute bill requires the height of the lettering on school bus stop signals to be not less than 5.9 inches high.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

Instead of requiring the height of lettering on school bus stop signals to meet or exceed federal standards, a lettering height of not less than 5.9 inches high is required, which is the federal standard.

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Appropriation: None.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: 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 state's school buses are equipped with "STOP" paddles which have letters that are 5.9 inches high. At this time, we do not meet the current state law of no less than 8 inches high. The paddles are manufactured to meet federal requirements. This bill will allow Washington buses to align with the law.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Dolan, prime sponsor; and Patti Enbody, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.