Vehicle loads

AN ACT Relating to securing vehicle loads on public highways; and 1
amending RCW 46.61.655. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
Sec. 1. RCW 46.61.655 and 2005 c 431 s 1 are each amended to 4
read as follows: 5
(1) No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any public highway 6
unless such vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent any of 7
its load from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping 8
therefrom, except that sand may be dropped for the purpose of 9
securing traction. 10
(2) No person may operate on any public highway any vehicle with 11
any load unless the load and such covering as required thereon by 12
subsection (3) of this section is securely fastened to prevent the 13
covering or load from becoming loose, detached, or in any manner a 14
hazard to other users of the highway. 15
(3) Any vehicle operating on a paved public highway with a load 16
of dirt, sand, or gravel susceptible to being dropped, spilled, 17
leaked, or otherwise escaping therefrom shall be covered so as to 18
prevent spillage. Covering of such loads is not required if six 19
inches of freeboard is maintained within the bed. 20
H-2444.1
HOUSE BILL 2109
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Representatives Dent, Bernbaum, Kloba, and Simmons
Prefiled 12/08/25. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee
on Transportation.
p. 1 HB 2109
(4)(a) Any person operating a vehicle from which any glass or 1
objects have fallen or escaped, which would constitute an obstruction 2
or injure a vehicle or otherwise endanger travel upon such public 3
highway shall immediately cause the public highway to be cleaned of 4
all such glass or objects and shall pay any costs therefor.5
(b) Any vehicle with deposits of mud, rocks, or other debris on 6
the vehicle's body, fenders, frame, undercarriage, wheels, or tires 7
shall be cleaned of such material , or covered for vehicles being 8
towed on a trailer, before the operation of the vehicle on a paved 9
public highway. 10
(5) The state patrol may make necessary rules to carry into 11
effect the provisions of this section, applying such provisions to 12
specific conditions and loads and prescribing means, methods, and 13
practices to effectuate such provisions. 14
(6) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit a public 15
maintenance vehicle from dropping sand on a highway to enhance 16
traction, or sprinkling water or other substances to clean or 17
maintain a highway. 18
(7)(a)(i) A person is guilty of failure to secure a load in the 19
first degree if he or she, with criminal negligence, fails to secure 20
a load or part of a load to his or her vehicle in compliance with 21
subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this section and causes substantial 22
bodily harm to another. 23
(ii) Failure to secure a load in the first degree is a gross 24
misdemeanor. 25
(b)(i) A person is guilty of failure to secure a load in the 26
second degree if he or she, with criminal negligence, fails to secure 27
a load or part of a load to his or her vehicle in compliance with 28
subsection (1) or (2) of this section and causes damage to property 29
of another. 30
(ii) Failure to secure a load in the second degree is a 31
misdemeanor. 32
(c) A person who fails to secure a load or part of a load to his 33
or her vehicle in compliance with subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this 34
section is guilty of an infraction if such failure does not amount to 35
a violation of (a) or (b) of this subsection. 36
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p. 2 HB 2109