SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1789

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 of Second Reading

Title: An act relating to making adjustments to the service and filing fees for vehicle subagents and county auditors.

Brief Description: Making adjustments to the service and filing fees for vehicle subagents and county auditors.

Sponsors: Representatives Fey, Barkis, Irwin, Dent, Young, Mead, Chambers, Stanford, Ryu, Caldier, Springer, Walsh, Kloba, Kirby, Wylie, Griffey, Stokesbary, Vick, Appleton, Lovick, Ortiz-Self, Schmick, Steele, Dye, Doglio, Goodman and Santos.

Brief History: Passed House: 4/25/19, 85-12.

Committee Activity: The bill was not heard in a Senate committee.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill

  • Increases the service fee for changes in a vehicle title certificate and related transactions from $12 to $18.

  • Increases the service fee for a registration renewal and certain other transactions from $5 to $8.

  • Increases the filing fee for application of a certificate of title from $4 to $5.50.

  • Increases the filing fee for application of vehicle registration from $3 to $4.50.

  • Requires county auditors to remit 50 cents of each filing fee collected to the Department of Licensing (DOL), and requires the DOL to distribute an equal share of the remitted funds to each county.

Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)

Background: The Department of Licensing (DOL), county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the DOL director collects a service fee of:

The service fees collected by the DOL or a county auditor or other agent must be deposited into the Capital Vessel Replacement Account. The service fees collected by subagents are self-retained.

A person pays a filing fee of:

The filing fee distribution is dependent on the entity that collects the fee and is as follows:

Summary of Bill: The service fee for changes in a vehicle title certificate, changes in ownership for nontitled vehicles, and related transactions is increased to $18. The service fee for a vehicle or vessel registration renewal, issuing a transit permit, accepting a report of sale, or accepting a transitional ownership record is increased to $8. The filing fee for a vehicle or vessel certificate of title is increased to $5.50. The filing fee for a vehicle or vessel registration, report of sale, transitional ownership record, or farm vehicle reduced gross weight license is increased to $4.50. If the filing fee is paid to a county auditor or other agent or subagent appointed by the DOL director, 50 cents of the filing fee must be remitted to DOL, and DOL must distribute an equal share of the remitted funds to each county at least quarterly.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.