SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 2660

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 28, 1992

Brief Description:  Affecting vehicle license registration.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Cooper, Prince, Zellinsky and Mielke; by request of Department of Licensing)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; Conner, Erwin, W. Hansen, Madsen, McMullen, Oke, Skratek, Snyder, and Vognild.

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786‑7307)

Hearing Dates: February 28, 1992

BACKGROUND:

If the director of the Department of Licensing (DOL) determines that a person applying for or already holding a motor vehicle title is not lawfully entitled to such title, DOL is required to notify that person by certified mail.

During the 1991 session the Legislature enacted a formula that would associate the number of dealer plates with the number of vehicles sold by a specific dealer.  The new restrictions prohibited any vehicle dealer selling less than five vehicles a year from obtaining dealer plates.  The intent of the legislation was to curb dealer plate abuses.

When a county authorizes collection of the $15 local option vehicle registration fee, it may provide for a refund process for those eligible.

SUMMARY:

When the director of the Department of Licensing (DOL) notifies a person of a cancellation of a vehicle title, the notification shall be sent by regular mail service.  An affidavit of mail service shall be attached to a copy of the cancellation notice and retained by the department.

The director may waive by rule dealer plate issuance restrictions, if the waiver is in accordance with the purposes of the chapter and is essential to the continuation of the business.

When a county authorizes collection of local option motor vehicle registration taxes, it may use an exemption process to avoid collecting and then refunding the money to those who are eligible.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Provisions which would have allowed the department to use regular mail service instead of certified mail are deleted.

A provision is added that provides the department shall issue all vehicle dealers with at least three dealer plates.

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill will help small car dealers get needed amount of dealer plates.  It will help the department save money if regular mail is used.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Nancy Kelly, DOL; Fred Bucke, Ken Scrogging