SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6333

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 12, 1992

Brief Description:  Affecting vehicle license registration.

SPONSORS: Senators Thorsness and Roach; by request of Department of Licensing

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; Erwin, Hansen, Skratek, Snyder, Thorsness, and Vognild.

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786‑7307)

Hearing Dates: February 4, 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.  Currently, vehicle licenses which are expired for more than 30 days and transferred to a new owner requires the new owner to pay a full year's registration from the time the license expired.

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 intent of the legislation was to curb dealer plate abuse.  Some small dealers have been unable to retain even a minimum number of plates under the new formula.

SUMMARY:

When the Director of 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.

Provisions are revised so that a new owner of a vehicle, whose license has been expired for more than 30 days, will get credit for a full 12 months of registration. 

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.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The change from certified mail to regular mail with an affidavit will save money.  The provisions dealing with expired licenses will allow people to get a full 12 month registration.  The DOL's rule-making authority will allow the DOL to enforce the dealer plate abuse laws and still allow small dealers to retain dealer plates.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Denial of dealer plates to small dealers is discriminatory.

TESTIFIED:  Heather Hamilton, DOL (pro); Nancy Kelly, DOL (pro); Jim Harkey, dealer (con)