SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5910

                              AS OF MARCH 6, 1991

Brief Description:  Adjusting fees for vehicle license subagents.

SPONSORS:Senators Barr, Gaspard, von Reichbauer, Madsen and Talmadge.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786‑7307)

Hearing Dates:March 5, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The county auditors are the Department of Licensing's (DOL) official agents for the titling and registration of motor vehicles.  In turn, the county auditors may appoint subagents, with DOL approval, throughout the county to service the general public.

There are 39 auditors, 139 subagents and the county 40 desk at DOL headquarters in Olympia.  During a year these 179 licensing agencies completed over 6 million transactions.

The services provided by the county auditors and their subagents, private businesses, include vehicle and vessel titling and registration, license renewal, collection of vehicle tonnage fees, and issuance of various permits.

Currently there is a $2.00 filing fee which must accompany any application for registration or other licensing applications.  There is a $3.00 filing fee for applying for a title.  The filing fees are remitted to the county current expense fund whether the work is performed by the county auditor or a subagent.  If the subagent provides the licensing authority then they are provided with an additional $2.00 service charge.

SUMMARY:

The current $2.00 fee charged by subagents for a title transaction without a registration is raised to $5.50.  The current $4.00 fee charged by subagents for a title application with a registration is raised to $5.50.  Currently there is no fee for preparation and verification of titles.  This transaction fee is established at $5.50 for subagents. The current "no‑fee" permits are changed to transit permits, and a fee of $2.25 is established for its issuance and any other services under this section.  The current $2.00 registration renewal fee is raised to $2.25.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  requested March 5, 1991