HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2461

BYRepresentatives Van Luven, Heavey, Schmidt, Prentice, Haugen, Fraser, Brekke, Silver, May, Miller and P. King 

Prohibiting the sale by public agencies of emergency vehicle equipment that may not be lawfully used.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (24)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair, Eastern Washington; R. Meyers, Vice Chair, Western Washington; Schmidt, Ranking Republican Member; Wood, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bennett, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, G. Fisher, Forner, Gallagher, Hankins, Heavey, Jones, Kremen, Nelson, Prentice, D. Sommers, Todd, Walker, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Louise Bray Sandison (786-7322)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 12, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, no restrictions are placed on the sale or transfer by public agencies of emergency vehicle lighting equipment.  However, under rules adopted by the Washington State Patrol, red, blue and flashing white emergency lights may only be used on certain types of vehicles.

Some public agencies have sold such equipment at auctions to persons who may not lawfully use the equipment.

SUMMARY:

Public agencies may not sell or give emergency vehicle lighting equipment or other equipment to persons who may not lawfully operate that equipment on the public streets and highways.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Tim Erickson, Washington State Patrol.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Citizens need to be able to rely on the fact that cars using emergency vehicle lighting equipment or other emergency equipment are authorized to have that equipment.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.