Washington 2017-2018 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 2 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 5378 — Modifying the operation of motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic.

Last action — Senate Rules "X" file.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

1 added · 1 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill SB 5378 clarifies the rules for motorcycle operation on certain roads, specifically allowing motorcycles to pass other vehicles in their lane under specific conditions while ensuring a safe distance is maintained when passing pedestrians or cyclists. It removes restrictions preventing motorcycles from overtaking in the same lane on divided highways under specified speed limits. This change is significant because it enhances motorcycle riders' safety and maneuverability on the roads, potentially reducing accidents and improving traffic flow.

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S-1327.1SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5378State of Washington65th Legislature2017 Regular SessionBy Senate Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Sheldon, Dansel, Hasegawa, Conway, and Fortunato)READ FIRST TIME 02/08/17.AN ACT Relating to modifying the operation of motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic;
S-0628.1SENATE BILL 5378State of Washington65th Legislature2017 Regular SessionBy Senators Sheldon, Dansel, Hasegawa, Conway, and FortunatoRead first time 01/20/17.
Referred to Committee on Transportation.AN ACT Relating to modifying the operation of motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic;
This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.(2)(a) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken, except on a numbered state route that is a divided highway having two or more lanes of traffic in each direction separated by a physical barrier or unpaved median if the operator of the motorcycle is traveling at a rate of speed no more than ten miles per hour over the speed of traffic flow and not more than twenty-five miles per hour.
This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.(2)(a) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken, except on the left-hand side of a vehicle traveling in the left-most lane of traffic on a numbered state route that is a divided highway having two or more lanes of traffic in each direction separated by a physical barrier or unpaved median if the operator of the motorcycle is traveling at a rate of speed no more than ten miles per hour over the speed of traffic flow and not more than twenty-five miles per hour.
((However, this subsection shall not apply)) When the operator of a motorcycle overtakes and passes a pedestrian or bicyclist ((while maintaining)), the operator shall maintain a safe passing distance of at least three feet.(b) Any operator of a motor vehicle that intentionally impedes or attempts to prevent any operator of a motorcycle from operating his or her motorcycle as permitted under this subsection is guilty of a traffic infraction.(3) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, except on a numbered state route that is a divided highway having two or more lanes of traffic in each direction separated by a physical barrier or unpaved median if the operator of the motorcycle is traveling at a rate of speed no more than ten miles per hour over the speed of traffic flow and not more than twenty-five miles per hour.(4) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.(5) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.Sec. 2.  RCW 47.52.025 and 2013 c 26 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:(1) Highway authorities of the state, counties, and incorporated cities and towns, in addition to the specific powers granted in this chapter, shall also have, and may exercise, relative to limited access facilities, any and all additional authority, now or hereafter vested in them relative to highways or streets within their respective jurisdictions, and may regulate, restrict, or prohibit the use of such limited access facilities by various classes of vehicles or traffic.
((However, this subsection shall not apply)) When the operator of a motorcycle overtakes and passes a pedestrian or bicyclist ((while maintaining)), the operator shall maintain a safe passing distance of at least three feet.(b) Any operator of a motor vehicle that intentionally impedes or attempts to prevent any operator of a motorcycle from operating his or her motorcycle as permitted under this subsection is guilty of a traffic infraction.(3) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.(4) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.(5) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.Sec. 2.  RCW 47.52.025 and 2013 c 26 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:(1) Highway authorities of the state, counties, and incorporated cities and towns, in addition to the specific powers granted in this chapter, shall also have, and may exercise, relative to limited access facilities, any and all additional authority, now or hereafter vested in them relative to highways or streets within their respective jurisdictions, and may regulate, restrict, or prohibit the use of such limited access facilities by various classes of vehicles or traffic.
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Action History

  1. Senate Rules "X" file.

  2. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  3. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  4. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  5. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  6. Placed on Rules Green Sheet.

  7. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

  8. First reading, referred to Transportation (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report).

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 32; nays, 17; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  11. 1st substitute bill substituted.

  12. 1st substitute bill substituted.

  13. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  14. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  15. On motion, referred to Rules Green Sheet for second reading.

  16. On motion, referred to Rules Green Sheet for second reading.

  17. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  18. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  19. Minority; without recommendation.

  20. Minority; do not pass.

  21. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  22. Minority; without recommendation.

  23. Minority; do not pass.

  24. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  25. First reading, referred to Transportation.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on · 6 voted No

Sponsors (1)

  • Sheldon

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#19)

Passed 32 Yea · 17 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 221100
Republican 7100
Democrat 3500
Total 321700
% of votes cast 65%35%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Angel — Yea
Bailey — Yea
Baumgartner — Yea
Carlyle — Nay
Ericksen — Yea
Frockt — Yea
Hawkins — Yea
Hobbs — Nay
Nelson — Nay
Palumbo — Nay
Pearson — Yea
Rivers — Yea
Rolfes — Yea
Rossi — Yea
Sheldon — Yea
Zeiger — Yea
Brown — Yea
Wilson — Yea
Becker — Yea
Billig — Nay
Darneille — Nay
Fain — Yea
Honeyford — Yea
Keiser — Nay
Kuderer — Nay
McCoy — Nay
Miloscia — Yea
Mullet — Nay
O'Ban — Yea
Padden — Yea
Ranker — Nay
Takko — Yea
Van De Wege — Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Nay
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Nay
Lisa Wellman Democrat Nay
Marko Liias Democrat Nay
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Nay
Curtis King Republican Yea
Jim Walsh Republican Yea
John Braun Republican Yea
Judy Warnick Republican Yea
Mark Schoesler Republican Yea
Phil Fortunato Republican Yea
Rob Chase Republican Nay
Shelly Short Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

transportation
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5378?
SB 5378 is sponsored by Steve Conway (Democrat), Dansel, Phil Fortunato (Republican), Bob Hasegawa (Democrat), and Sheldon.
What is the current status of SB 5378?
This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 5378?
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