The Washington state patrol acting by and through the chief of the Washington state patrol shall have the authority to adopt and enforce the regulations promulgated by the United States department of transportation, Title 49 C.F.R. parts 100 through 199, transportation of hazardous materials, as these regulations apply to motor carriers. "Motor carrier" means any person engaged in the transportation of passengers or property operating interstate and intrastate upon the public highways of this state, except farmers. The chief of the Washington state patrol shall confer with the emergency management council under RCW 38.52.040 and may make rules and regulations pertaining thereto, sufficient to protect persons and property from unreasonable risk of harm or damage. The chief of the Washington state patrol shall establish such additional rules not inconsistent with Title 49 C.F.R. parts 100 through 199, transportation of hazardous materials, which for compelling reasons make necessary the reduction of risk associated with the transportation of hazardous materials. No such rules may lessen a standard of care; however, the chief of the Washington state patrol may, after conferring with the emergency management council, establish a rule imposing a more stringent standard of care. The chief of the Washington state patrol shall appoint the necessary qualified personnel to carry out the provisions of RCW 46.48.170 through *46.48.190.
[1988 c 81 § 19; 1980 c 20 § 1; 1961 c 12 § 46.48.170. Prior: 1951 c 102 § 1; 1949 c 101 § 1; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 6360-63a.]
Notes: *Reviser's note: RCW 46.48.190 was repealed by 1988 c 81 § 20.