Washington State lawmakers haven’t given up on efforts to mandate consumer tire rolling resistance regulations.
If passed, recently introduced Senate Bill 6304 would “establish and enforce energy efficiency standards for replacement tires” sold in the state.
House Bill 2262, a piece of proposed legislation that sought the same objective, failed to exit committee last week. (Click here to read MTD’s report.)
In addition to rolling resistance standards, Senate Bill 6304 also calls for:
- The creation of a database of replacement tires offered for sale or distribution in the State of Washington;
- “Requirements for any tire brand name owners and tire manufacturers with replacement tires in production offered for sale or distribution in the state to report information” to state officials;
- Establishment of a rating system that would denote the energy efficiency of replacement tires “based on their rolling resistance coefficient,” with ratings displayed for consumers at the point of sale, and;
- Establishment of testing procedures “in alignment with enacted regulations by the National Highway Traffic Transportation Safety Administration.”
The bill also would give the state’s Department of Commerce the ability to prohibit the sale of replacement tires that do not meet minimum energy efficiency standards mandated by legislators.
In addition, regulations must not “adversely affect tire safety or tire longevity, as demonstrated by the testing of wet grip or traction and treadwear by an independent analyst prepared for the department or another state energy office and verified by the department in consultation with the Washington State Patrol.”
The bill exempts winter tires, spare tires, “tires manufactured specifically for use in vehicles with three or fewer wheels, tires manufactured specifically for use in vehicles participating in an organized racing or competitive event conducted by a recognized sanctioning body, tires manufactured specifically for use in off-road recreational vehicles or tires manufactured specifically for use in farm tractors or farm vehicles.”
In addition, the Washington State Department of Commerce “is encourages to coordinate with the California Energy Commission” in order to “pursue common standards, reporting requirements and labeling that reduces compliance costs for the (tire) industry.” (Click here to read MTD’s coverage of proposed tire fuel rolling resistance mandates in California.)
“Tire brand name owners and tire manufacturers who violate rules adopted to implement” regulations could be issued a warning the Washington State Department of Commerce “or another state agency, as designated by the department, for any first violation. Repeat violations are subject to a civil penalty ranging from $100 to $10,000 per occurrence.
“Tire retailers who violate rules ... may be issued a warning by the department or another state agency as designated by the department for any first violation. Repeat violations are subject to a civil penalty ranging from $100 to $1,000 per occurrence.”
The bill also will allow inspections of replacement tires to be conducted.
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) opposes provisions in the bill that would "grant authority to the state’s Department of Commerce to make significant decisions about how tires are manufactured, sold, and used in the state.
"The flawed proposal would severely reduce the selection of tires available to consumers and
disadvantage Washington tire retailers, leaving consumers to travel to neighboring states to find
the tires that meet their driving and vehicle needs," says the USTMA.
"The misguided policy also incentivizes market decisions by some tiremakers that could adversely impact the safety and longevity of tires available for sale in Washington by reducing tread depth and decreasing wet traction performance, in turn increasing the number of waste tires produced in the state each year.
"Reduced selection will mean higher prices which will have a disparate effect on more pricesensitive consumers, leading to increased purchases of unsafe used tires. Lastly, the proposed policy does not account for legitimate vehicle applications where a tire’s traction performance is more important than fuel efficiency.
The association says that its members "strongly support a common, consistent North American approach to consumer information and minimum performance standards for rolling resistance and wet grip in the U.S.
"USTMA has offered to work closely with Washington State policymakers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other stakeholders toward this objective. This approach will maximize impact and effectiveness, minimize costs associated with implementation and provide clear, consistent messages to consumers."
In a statement provided to MTD, the Tire Industry Association said it "is deeply concerned by the potential consequences of this bill.
"We are actively mobilizing our dealer community and members in the state to vehemently oppose the proposed legislation.
"Much like the House bill, there are concerted efforts to advance an agenda that contradicts our stance on safeguarding a retailer's right to sell certain tires and ensuring consumer freedom in choosing their preferred tires."
Senate Bill 6304 is headed to the Senate floor for a vote that will likely take place by Feb. 13, according to MTD sources.
