FINAL BILL REPORT

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.

Background: The Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) owns and operates 47 safety rest areas, most open to the public 24 hours a day. Features of the safety rest areas include things like parking, restrooms, drinking water, traveler information, vending machines, public telephones, and so on. DOT estimates that 24.4 million visitors used the state's safety rest areas in 2017.

Current law allows vehicles to park at safety rest areas for up to eight hours, with no time restrictions if the vehicle is disabled. DOT maintenance staff monitor and maintain the safety rest areas, most during the day only.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates commercial vehicle working hours. Most rest periods are either eight or ten hours, depending on the circumstances.

Summary: Vehicles—which includes trailers, campers, motorcycles—are prohibited from parking at safety rest areas for more than eight hours per day. If a vehicle is disabled, the vehicle may park at a safety rest area for up to 48 hours before Washington State Patrol (WSP) impounds it. Commercial vehicles are exempt from these parking restrictions, and may park at safety rest areas for up to an hour beyond federally mandated rest periods.

DOT is also given flexibility to designate parking zones with shorter time limits for operational efficiency, and must post signage at all safety rest areas with the new parking time limits. WSP must enforce these new limits to the maximum extent practicable.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	33	14
House	98	0	(House amended)
Senate	42	6	(Senate concurred)