HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      SB 6130

                     As Reported By House Committee on:

                               Transportation

Title:  An act relating to timely registration of motor vehicles.

Brief Description:  Informing new residents of the obligation to register vehicles.

Sponsor(s):  Senators Patterson, Vognild and McCaslin.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 26, 1992, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 21 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; R. Meyers, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brough; Cantwell; Day; G. Fisher; Forner; Heavey; P. Johnson; Jones; Mitchell; Nelson; Orr; Prentice; Prince; Schmidt; Wilson; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786-7307).

Background:  New residents to the state are allowed 30 days from the time they become residents to obtain a Washington driver's license and motor vehicle registrations for all vehicles they own.

A person becomes a resident when he or she lives in the state on more than a temporary basis.  Evidence of residency includes, but is not limited to:  1) registering to vote; 2) receiving benefits from a Washington public assistance program; 3) obtaining a state license of tuition fees at resident rates.

There are many incentives for new residents to obtain a driver's license, ranging from general identification purposes to check cashing.  The Washington driver's license fee is $14 for four years.

The fees charged for registering a motor vehicle for a new resident include:  1) an out-of-state vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection, $15; 2) basic registration fee, $27.75; 3) 2.2 percent of value according to the state depreciation schedule; and 4) agent or subagent service fees.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Licensing shall inform all new residents at the time of issuance of a driver's license of the legal obligation to register all vehicles within 30 days of becoming a resident.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.