Commercial Motor Vehicle Licensing and Training Requirements.
No person may drive a commercial motor vehicle unless the person holds, and is in immediate possession of, a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements valid for the vehicle the person is driving—subject to certain limited exceptions, and except when driving under a commercial learner's permit and valid driver's license and accompanied by the holder of a CDL.
No person may be issued a CDL unless that person:
Minimum course length requirements for courses certified by the DOL are mandated in administrative code and vary by license classification. Required topics of training include street driving training and backing maneuvers. Minimum course length requirements do not apply to employer training. Training must include classroom instruction and a combination of lab training, range training, and observation.
Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enforcement Fee.
Commercial motor vehicle carriers with terminals in the state are required to pay a $16 annual fee. This fee is apportioned for interstate vehicles operating under the International Registration Plan. After deduction by the DOL for costs of administration, fees must be deposited in the State Patrol Highway Account of the Motor Vehicle Fund.
Establishment of the Washington State Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council.
The Washington State Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council (Council) is established in the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (Commission) to recommend programs and projects that improve the safety of the commercial trucking industry. The Council may:
The Council must meet at least quarterly, with an initial meeting to be convened by the Commission no later than January 2027.
Beginning December 31, 2027, the Council is required to annually report its activities, findings, and recommendations during the preceding year to the Transportation Committees of the Legislature.
Council Membership.
The following Council members are required to be appointed by the Governor:
The Council may consult with other governmental entities or individuals from the public or private sector who have a unique interest or expertise in commercial vehicle safety, training, and efficient operations.
Funding for Council Activities.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement Fee assessed on commercial motor vehicles is increased from $16 to $32. The additional revenue is directed to the Commercial Truck Safety and Education Account (Commercial Truck Safety Account), which is created as a non-appropriated account to be used only for activities recommended by the Council to improve the safety of the commercial truck industry and related administrative costs. Only the Director of the Commission or the Director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account.
Commission costs associated with support of the Council are to be reimbursed for the Commercial Truck Safety Account.
As compared to the original bill, the substitute bill requires the Commission rather than the Governor to appoint members to the Council. It adds a representative from the WTECB and one member from a labor organization recommended by the WSLC to the membership of the Council. It also authorizes the Council to adopt a charter that includes rules governing the election of a chair and other officers, and rules governing member term lengths.
The substitute bill modifies the responsibilities of the Council to rely on the Commission to implement the recommendations made by the Council for programs and projects that carry out the purpose of the Council, as well as for related activities. It removes the Council's authority to enter into agreements with the Trucking Foundation of Washington for the use of staff and resources to carry out the powers and duties of the Council. In addition, it removes the Council's direct control of expenditures of the Commercial Truck Safety Account, the 5 percent limit placed on administrative expenses related to the purposes for which the account is authorized, and information privacy and liability protections applicable to activities of the Council.
(In support) Accidents involving trucks tend to have bigger consequences because of the size of trucks. They can also lead to major traffic delays on the freeway. The WTA is willing to voluntarily tax themselves to provide more training and education. If there are better educated drivers, that will make the roads safer for everyone, including because they can be educated to maintain a greater awareness of how high overpasses on roadways are.
There is a significant need for outreach on United States Department of Transportation regulations. This legislation brings key stakeholders together, and is a practical, collaborative solution. It will strengthen regulatory compliance, which is strongest when industry leads the effort. This approach includes motor carriers to ensure that safety initiatives reflect real world operations.
Trucking is essential to Washington's economy; the industry supports 1 in every 17 jobs in the state. This legislation prioritizes education and centers on compliance. It is a core business investment for the trucking industry. It includes an increase to a small fee that has not been raised since 2007 for the purpose of traffic safety.
For insurance carriers and motor carriers, claims from collisions lead to significant costs that are a lead cost of trucking companies. Fewer collisions lead to fewer claims, which can lead to more stable insurance markets for employers.
(Opposed) None.
(Other) The Commission supports the goal of expanding and improving safety education for commercial drivers, but believes certain aspects of the bill need to be worked out related to the respective roles of the Council and the Commission. The Commission supports the role of the Council in setting the strategic direction for the program, but believes that clarity is needed regarding what the operational responsibilities and duties of the Commission are.
(In support) Representative Jake Fey, prime sponsor; Joshua Sternberg; Jason McFadden; Abigail Potter, Washington Trucking Associations; and Ken Short, AWB.