HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1806

                       As Passed House

                       March 20, 1991

Title:  An act relating to junk vehicles.

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

Sponsor(s):  By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Meyers, Winsley and R. Johnson).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, March 5, 1991, DPS;

Passed House, March 20, 1991, 98-0.

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 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.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  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.