Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

SSB 5025

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.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Changes the fee distribution, if the quick title is for a vehicle and is processed by a subagent, from $25 being distributed to the county auditor to $12.50 being distributed to the county auditor and $12.50 being retained by the subagent that processed the transaction.
Changes the fee distribution, if the quick title is for a vessel and is processed by a subagent, from $25 being distributed to the county auditor to $12.50 being distributed to the county auditor and $12.50 being retained by the subagent that processed the transaction.

Background:

Vehicle and vessel title changes in Washington can be made at a county auditor's office, or offices of other agents or subagents, or at the Department of Licensing (DOL). The applicant must complete a Vehicle or Vessel Certificate of Ownership Application. Documentation and the required taxes and fees are collected at the location and sent to the DOL. Quick titles are defined as a certificate of ownership printed at the time of application and given to the applicant immediately.

The application for a quick title of a vehicle must be submitted by the owner or the owner's representative to the DOL, participating county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the Director of the DOL, on a form furnished or approved by the DOL and must contain:

a description of the vehicle, including make, model, vehicle identification number, type of body, and the odometer reading at the time of delivery of the vehicle, when required;
the name and address of the person who is to be the registered owner of the vehicle and, if the vehicle is subject to a security interest, the name and address of the secured party; and
other information as may be required by the DOL.

The application for a quick title must be accompanied by:

all fees and taxes due for an application for a certificate of title, including a quick title service fee; and
the most recent certificate of title or other satisfactory evidence of ownership.

The application for a quick title may not be used to obtain the first title issued to a vehicle previously designated as a salvage vehicle.

A $50 fee is charged for a quick title. If the fee is paid to a county auditor or other agent or subagent for a vehicle or vessel title, $25 is retained by the county treasurer in the same manner as other fees collected by the county auditor, and the remaining $25 is deposited into the Motor Vehicle Fund for a vehicle and the General Fund for a vessel. If the fee is paid directly to the DOL, the entire fee of $50 must be deposited into the Motor Vehicle Fund for a vehicle and into the General Fund for a vessel.

There are 23 county auditors and other agents and 63 subagents that currently provide quick title services.

Summary of Bill:

The bill changes the fee distribution if the quick title is for a vehicle and is processed by a subagent from $25 being distributed to the county auditor to $12.50 being distributed to the county auditor and $12.50 being retained by the subagent that processed the transaction. The remaining $25 continues to be deposited into the Motor Vehicle Fund.

The bill changes the fee distribution if the quick title is for a vessel and is processed by a subagent from $25 being distributed to the county auditor to $12.50 being distributed to the county auditor and $12.50 being retained by the subagent that processed the transaction. The remaining $25 continues to be deposited into the General Fund.