HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1664

As Amended by the Senate

BYRepresentatives Betrozoff, Baugher, Zellinsky, Patrick, R. Fisher, R. Meyers, Schmidt, Ferguson and Walker

Restricting the use of tinted glass on motor vehicles.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (27)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Republican Member; Wood, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, G. Fisher, R. Fisher, Gallagher, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Jones, Kremen, R. Meyers, Nelson, Patrick, Prentice, Prince, Smith, D. Sommers, Todd, Walker, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 14, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Sunscreening vehicle windows is a legal practice up to a point.  The limits of such tinting are established by rule of the Washington State Patrol.  Some individuals are adding sunscreening over that which is installed by automobile manufacturers to a degree that it is not possible to view the driver and occupants of the vehicle or to a degree that safe driving is inhibited.  A law enforcement officer approaching a vehicle with sunscreening of this type is being placed in a hazardous situation because the officer is not able to view the occupants in the vehicle.  With heavily tinted windows it is difficult to perceive driver switching, or the possession of weapons, contraband drugs or unlawful alcohol.

SUMMARY:

Vehicle window sunscreening requirements are expanded to include all windows of a motor vehicle.  Window sunscreening shall have a total reflectance of 35 percent or less, plus or minus 3 percent, and a light transmission of 35 percent or more, plus or minus 3 percent, when measured in conjunction with the safety glazing material.

Limousines used to transport persons for compensation are exempt from the requirements of this section.

A greater degree of light reduction shall be permitted in a vehicle operated by or carrying as a passenger a person who possesses written verification from a physician that the individual must be protected from the sunlight for physical or medical reasons.

The application of sunscreening material is restricted to the top six-inch area of a vehicle's windshield.

If sunscreening material is applied to the rearview window, outside mirrors on both the left and right sides shall be located to reflect to the driver a rear view of the roadway, through each mirror, a distance of at least 200 feet.

Sunscreening materials such as mirror finish products or red, gold, yellow, or black material, are prohibited, as are spray-on or brush-on sunscreening.

Any person who operates, alters or sells a vehicle with tinting or coloring material in violation of this section for use on the public highways is guilty of a misdemeanor.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS:  Any person who operates a vehicle on public highways with tinting in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.  References to anyone altering or selling such a vehicle has been eliminated.

Passenger buses transporting persons for compensation are exempted from the act.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Lt. Lavere Klewin, Washington State Patrol; Major Rick Jensen, Washington State Patrol.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Heavy window tint takes away the ability of law enforcement, when approaching a vehicle, to view the occupants of a vehicle, placing the officers in an extremely hazardous situation.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 98