SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6156

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Transportation, February 10, 2020

Title: An act relating to modifying the requirements for collector vehicle registrations.

Brief Description: Modifying the requirements for collector vehicle registrations.

Sponsors: Senators Takko, Wagoner, Saldaña, Conway and Sheldon; by request of Department of Licensing.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/22/20, 2/10/20 [DPS, DNP].

Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill

Requires collector license plates to be renewed every five years based on a phase in schedule determined by the Department of Licensing.
Clarifies the definition for collector vehicles to explicitly prohibit use for business or commercial purposes or routine transportation.
Increases the collector plate registration fee from $35 to $100 and allows the personalization of collector plates for a one-time fee of $52.
Raises the age threshold to qualify as a collector vehicle from 30 years to 40 years beginning with new collector vehicle registrations after July 1, 2026.
Modifies the definition for eligibility as a horseless carriage.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6156 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Hobbs, Chair; Saldaña, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Cleveland, Das, Lovelett, Nguyen, Randall, Takko and Wilson, C..

Minority Report: Do not pass.

Signed by Senators O'Ban, Padden and Zeiger.

Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)

Background: A registered owner may apply for a collector vehicle plate for a motor vehicle that is at least 30 years old. The owner may receive a collector plate assigned by the Department of Licensing (DOL), or the owner can provide an actual Washington state-issued license plate designated for general use in the year the vehicle was manufactured. Under current law, the original registration is $35, and the plates:

are valid for the life of the vehicle;
are not required to be renewed;
may be transferred from one vehicle to another vehicle if the plate was provided by the owner; and
must be displayed on the rear of the motor vehicle.

These vehicles may only be used for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and occasional driving.

A registered owner may apply for a horseless carriage license plate if the vehicle is more than 40 years old, is capable of operating on the highway, and is owned and operated as a collector vehicle. Under current law, the original registration is $35, and the plates:

are valid for the life of the vehicle;
are not required to be renewed;
may not be transferred from one vehicle to another vehicle; and
must be displayed on the rear of the motor vehicle.

Under current law, for an additional fee, license plates displaying the standard background may be personalized using numbers or letters or both. The original registration is $52 for a personalized license plate, and the annual renewal is $42 for the plate. Provisions do not exist allowing a registered owner to personalize a collector license plate.

Summary of Bill (First Substitute): The definition of collector vehicle is explicitly changed to prohibit use for business or commercial purposes or routine transportation of persons or property. The allowable uses of a collector vehicle are expanded to include use associated with operation and maintenance of the vehicle. The potential issuance of a Washington state issued license plate designated for general use is limited to vehicles manufactured and with a model year before January 1, 1989.

The collector license plate registration fee is increased from $35 to $100. The collector plates are required to be renewed every five years and must be done so with a signed certification by the owner. The five year renewal requirement will be phase-in over a period no longer than six years. The first vehicles subject to the five year renewal requirement would be the ones closest to the 30 year mark. There is no fee for the renewal of the collector plate.

A registered owner with a collector vehicle license plate may personalize their plate for a one-time fee of $52 in addition to the collector license plate fee.

The age threshold to qualify as a collector vehicle is raised from 30 years to 40 years beginning with new collector vehicle registrations after July 1, 2026. DOL is provided explicit authority to cancel the registration of a collector vehicle not meeting the requirements specified in law.

The definition of horseless carriage is changed from 40 years and older to requiring that the vehicle was manufactured or built before January 1, 1916.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (First Substitute):

Allows the personalization of collector plates for a one-time fee of $52.
Increases the collector plate registration fee from $35 to $100.
Requires a staggered phase-in of the five year renewal requirement over no longer than six years. The first vehicles subject to the five year renewal requirement will be the ones closest to the 30 year mark.
Raises the age threshold to qualify as a collector vehicle from 30 years to 40 years beginning with new collector vehicle registrations after July 1, 2026.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2021.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: There has been confusion over the provisions on this bill. The issue that we are attempting to address is the growing number of vehicles that might be eligible and ensure that the collector vehicles are being used for legitimate purposes. This bill strikes the appropriate middle ground of maintaining the collector plate license opportunities, and making sure that people are using the collecting plates properly.

CON: This will eliminate the motorcycle collector vehicle plates and many collector vehicle opportunities. This will potentially reduce the revenue to the state by some car enthusiasts no longer getting a collector plate. The certification process is unclear and should be defined in the legislation. There should have been better outreach to the impacted communities.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Dean Takko, Prime Sponsor; Beau Perschbacher, Department of Licensing; Thad Duvall, Co-Chair of Licensing Committee for County Auditors Association; Corry Cavin, Washington Association of Vehicle Sub Agents; Chester Baldwin, Washington Association of Vehicle Subagents. CON: Paul Lawson, citizen; Robert Combs, Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.