H-2634.1

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1984

State of Washington
67th Legislature
2022 Regular Session
ByHouse Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Jacobsen and Graham)
READ FIRST TIME 02/07/22.
AN ACT Relating to protecting privacy of addresses related to vehicle registration certificates; amending RCW 46.16A.180; adding a new section to chapter 88.02 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that printing addresses on vehicle registrations provides an opportunity for thieves that break into vehicles to use the information for nefarious purposes that can be avoided if the address is not printed on the vehicle registration certificate.
(2) Furthermore, law enforcement agencies have access to databases that include the vehicle registrant's address so such information does not need to be printed on paper vehicle registration certificates.
(3) In order to reduce criminal opportunities, the legislature directs the department of licensing to print addresses on vehicle, trailer, and vessel registration certificates in a location that facilitates the removal of the address.
Sec. 2. RCW 46.16A.180 and 2013 c 157 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A registration certificate must be:
(a) Signed by the registered owner, or if a firm or corporation, the signature of one of its officers or other authorized agent, to be valid;
(b) Carried in the vehicle for which it is issued; and
(c) Provided to law enforcement and the department by the operator of the vehicle upon demand.
(d) The registration certificate required by this section may be provided in either paper or electronic format. Acceptable electronic formats include the display of electronic images on a cellular phone or any other type of portable electronic device.
(2) It is unlawful for any person to operate or be in possession of a vehicle without carrying a registration certificate for the vehicle. Any person in charge of a vehicle shall, upon demand of any of the local authorities or of any police officer or of any representative of the department, permit an inspection of the vehicle registration certificate. This section does not apply to a vehicle for which registration is not required to be renewed annually and is a publicly owned vehicle marked as required under RCW 46.08.065.
(3) Beginning January 1, 2023, paper issued registrations certificates for vehicles or trailers must be printed to allow for the manual removal of a registrant's address, by the named registered owner, without compromising any required information on the certificate.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 88.02 RCW to read as follows:
Beginning January 1, 2023, paper issued registration certificates for vessels must be printed to allow for the manual removal of a registrant's address, by the named registered owner, without compromising any required information on the certificate.
--- END ---