SB 6748-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Provides that, by January 1, 2003, the department shall create a system enabling the seller of a vehicle to transmit the report of sale electronically.  The system created by the department must immediately indicate on the department's vehicle record that a seller's report of sale has been filed.

     Declares that when a registered tow truck operator submits an abandoned vehicle report to the department for a vehicle sold at an abandoned vehicle auction, any previous owner is relieved of civil or criminal liability for the operation of the vehicle from the date of sale thereafter, and liability is transferred to the purchaser of the vehicle as listed on the abandoned vehicle report.

     Provides that, by January 1, 2003, the Washington state patrol shall develop uniform impound procedures, which must include but are not limited to defining an impound and a visual inspection.  Local law enforcement agencies shall adopt the procedures by July 1, 2003.

     Directs the Washington state patrol and local law enforcement agencies to convene a task force to consider the advantages and disadvantages of law enforcement agencies immediately transmitting, electronically or by facsimile, the impound authorization form to the impounding tow operator.  The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the house of representatives and senate transportation committees by January 1, 2003.

     Requires the department of licensing to study the feasibility of requiring the seller of a vehicle to remove the vehicle's license plates at the time of the sale.  The department shall specifically examine the fiscal impact of implementing this proposal, the experiences of other states, and the advantages and disadvantages of this proposal.  The department shall report its findings and recommendations to the house of representatives and senate transportation committees by January 1, 2003.

     Declares that the vehicle buyer information sent to the department on the abandoned vehicle report relieves the previous owner of the vehicle from any civil or criminal liability for the operation of the vehicle from the date of sale thereafter and transfers full liability for the vehicle to the buyer.  By January 1, 2003, the department shall create a system enabling tow truck operators the option of sending the portion of the abandoned vehicle report that contains the vehicle's buyer information to the department electronically.

     Provides that a tow truck operator may authorize the disposal of an abandoned junk vehicle if the vehicle has been abandoned two or more times, the registered ownership information has not changed since the first abandonment, and the registered owner is also the legal owner.