HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1806

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to junk vehicles.

Brief Description:  Modifying the definition of "junk vehicle."

Sponsor(s):  Representatives R. Meyers, Winsley and R. Johnson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, March 5, 1991, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute House Bill No. 1806 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 25 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; R. Meyers, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Brough; Cantwell; Cooper; Day; G. Fisher; Forner; Haugen; Horn; P. Johnson; R. Johnson; Jones; Kremen; Mitchell; Nelson; Orr; Prentice; Schmidt; Wilson; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Brian McMorrow (786-7304).

Background:  A junk vehicle means a vehicle that meets all of the following requirements:  (a) is three years old or older; (b) is extremely damaged - such damage including but not limited to any of the following:  a broken window or windshield or missing wheels, tires, motor, or transmission; (c) is apparently inoperable; (d) is without a valid, current registration plate; and (e) has a fair market value equal only to the value of the scrap in it.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A junk vehicle must have an approximate fair market value equal only to the approximate value of the scrap in it.  Persons complying in good faith with the requirements of the section pertaining to junk vehicles are immune from any liability.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The requirement that a junk vehicle's value must be equal to the value of its scrap is eliminated.  The vehicle value must be equal to the approximate value of its scrap.  Persons complying in good faith with the chapter are immune from any liability arising out of compliance.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Cities need a more flexible definition of junk vehicles to allow enforcement officials to reduce the number of abandoned, disabled and inoperative vehicles cluttering the landscape.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Joe Mathews, Port Orchard Police Department; Tim Erickson, Washington State Patrol; and Heather Hamilton, Department of Licensing.