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Washington State Legislature Passes 
Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Legislation 
Senate Bill 5450

In the waning hours of the legislative session, law makers in Washington State passed Senate Bill 5450, which allows for the licensing of neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) for on-road use. 

The last minute action on the bill had essentially nothing to do with any debate over SB5450. Rather, decision on the bill was intentionally delayed as part of a strategy to fix a procedural problem that occurred with another bill. The only means to fix this problem was to amend the bill to a similar piece of legislation - and the closest fit was SB5450. During the session, the Senate had passed SB5770, concerning motorized foot scooters. The bill then passed the House Transportation Committee by voice vote in executive session. However, the signatures of committee members were not obtained on the required form. The vote was thus unofficial and the bill technically died in committee.

The provisions of SB5770 were amended to SB5450 by the House on Saturday and SB5450 passed the House by a vote of 95 to 3 just before midnight. On Sunday, SB5450 was placed on the concurrence calendar in the Senate and ultimately received a unanimous vote of the Senate at about 10:00pm. The regular session ended at midnight.

The bill was signed by the Governor on Friday, May 16, 2003.

A few of the many supporters of SB5450 joined Governor Gary Locke for the signing of the bill.