Brief Description: Staggering vessel registration.

Sponsors: Representatives Alexander, Murray, Ericksen and Romero.

Hearing Date: 2/18/03

Staff: Reema Griffith (786-7301).

Background:

All vessels owned and operated upon the waters of Washington state must be registered with the Department of Licensing (DOL) and must display an assigned registration number and a valid decal. When initially registering or renewing a vessel's registration, the owner must pay a vessel registration fee of $10.50, watercraft excise tax equaling one-half of 1 percent of the fair market value of the vessel, and a derelict vessel removal fee of $2.00.

Under current law all vessel registration periods last for one year and must be renewed by June 30th of each year. Fees and excise taxes for initial registrations that occur after June 30th of a given year are prorated to the next June 30th.

Summary of Bill:

HB 1377 maintains the current fee and excise tax requirements placed on vessels but establishes a staggered registration program where vessel registrations will be valid for one year from the date the vessel is initially registered by the owner, as is currently the practice for vehicle registrations.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.