SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6565

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 Passed Senate, February 17, 2020

Title: An act relating to establishing permissible methods of parking a motorcycle.

Brief Description: Establishing permissible methods of parking a motorcycle.

Sponsors: Senators Randall, Nguyen, Lovelett, Hasegawa, Das, Saldaña and Wilson, C.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/03/20, 2/10/20 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 2/17/20, 48-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

Authorizes motorcycles to park at an angle on any highway so long as it does not extend into the roadway.
Allows more than one motorcycle to be parked per parking space so long as the motorcycles do not exceed the boundaries of the parking space.
Provides local jurisdictions the authority to prohibit angled parking of motorcycles if the jurisdiction passes an ordinance and posts visible signage in the area where the prohibition applies.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Hobbs, Chair; Saldaña, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Cleveland, Das, Lovelett, Nguyen, O'Ban, Padden, Randall, Takko, Wilson, C. and Zeiger.

Staff: Kim Johnson (786-7472)

Background: Generally, vehicles on a two-way roadway must be parked with the right-hand wheels parallel to, and within 12 inches of, the right-hand curb or right-hand shoulder of the road. Vehicles on a one-way roadway, unless provided otherwise by a local ordinance, must be parked parallel to, and within 12 inches of, either the right hand or left hand curb or shoulder of the road.

Local governments may allow angle parking on any roadway, however if the roadway is a federal-aid or state highway, the secretary of transportation must have determined the roadway is wide enough to permit angle parking without interfering with free movement of traffic.

Summary of Bill: When parking is allowed, motorcycles may park parallel or at an angle to the curb or edge of a highway with at least one wheel or fender within 12 inches of the curb or shoulder nearest to which the motorcycle is parked.

A local jurisdiction may prohibit angled stopping or parking of motorcycles on a one-way or two-way highway if the local jurisdiction passes an ordinance to that effect, so long as the local jurisdiction posts visible signage at any location to which the prohibition applies.

More than one motorcycle may occupy a parking space, provided the motorcycles in the parking space remain within the boundaries of that parking space.

The requirement that the secretary of transportation first make a determination that a state highway or federal aid highway is wide enough to allow for free movement of traffic before motorcycles can park angled on the edge of such a highway is removed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Thank you for introducing this bill. The House bill has passed and is already in the Senate and due to the limited time left in session we would like to ask you to pass the House bill.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Emily Randall, Prime Sponsor; Brian Lange, ABATE of Washington; Louise Bentley, ABATE of Washington.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.