Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

SB 5506

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 Summary of Bill

Reduces the amount of time a person is permitted to stop, stand, or park any vehicle from eight to four hours, except as specifically authorized by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), at safety rest area within the limits of the right-of-way of interstate highways or other state highways or in other areas adjacent to highways used by the WSDOT for certain purposes.
Permits commercial motor vehicles to be parked for up to an hour more than federally mandated rest periods for the operators of them.
Prohibits any person to stop, stand, or park any disabled vehicle in any safety rest area for more than 24 hours, after which time the vehicle is subject to mandatory impoundment by a registered tow truck operator.

Background:

Safety Rest Areas and Other Designated Areas Adjacent to Highways.

Except where specifically authorized by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), it is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park any vehicle for more than eight hours, or for any person to camp or maintain a camp, tent, or other sleeping accommodation or facility in any rest area or safety rest area within the limits of the right-of-way of interstate highways or other state highways or in other areas adjacent to highways used by the WSDOT for the preservation of natural beauty, historic sites or viewpoints, or to provide a visual or sound buffer between highways and adjacent properties.

The WSDOT and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) are required to promulgate rules that govern the conduct and safety of the traveling public relating to the use and control of rest areas and areas adjacent to state highways used by the WSDOT for the preservation of natural beauty, historic sites or viewpoints, or to provide a visual or sound buffer between highways and adjacent properties.

Any person who violates state law or regulation governing use and control of these areas is guilty of a misdemeanor, for which a court may impose a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment in a county jail for a maximum of 90 days.

Commercial Motor Vehicles and Federal Rest Requirements.

Federal rules provide that property-carrying drivers of commercial motor vehicles have 14 hours to drive a maximum of 11 hours after coming on duty, after which point federal law requires that they take 10 consecutive hours off duty. Passenger-carrying drivers of commercial motor vehicles have 15 hours to drive a maximum of 10 hours after coming on duty, after which point federal law requires that they take eight consecutive hours off duty.

Summary of Bill:

The amount of time a person is permitted to stop, stand, or park any vehicle is reduced to four hours within a 24-hour period, except as specifically authorized by the WSDOT. The WSDOT is specifically authorized to designate zones within a safety rest area with shorter parking time limits for the purpose of achieving maximum efficiency and safety.

Commercial motor vehicles are permitted to be parked for up to an hour more than federally mandated rest periods for the operators of these vehicles.

Except where specifically authorized by the WSDOT, it is unlawful for any person to engage in solicitation.

Except where specifically authorized by the WSDOT, it is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park any disabled vehicle in any safety rest area for more than 24 hours, after which time the vehicle is subject to mandatory impoundment by a registered tow truck operator at the direction of a law enforcement officer or other public official with jurisdiction over the area. The WSDOT must post appropriate signage that is in a clearly conspicuous and visible location that indicates the times a vehicle may be impounded and provides contact information of the towing firm where the vehicle may be redeemed.

The WSP must enforce the laws noted above to the maximum extent practicable.