FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2629

                         C 176 L 94

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising the definition of junk vehicle.

By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Fisher, Appelwick, Campbell, Sommers, Edmondson and Dorn).

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:  In order for a vehicle to meet the statutory definition of a "junk vehicle," it must meet five requirements.  Those requirements include that the vehicle be:  (1) three years old or older; (2) extensively damaged; (3) apparently inoperable; (4) without a valid, current registration plate; and (5) of an approximate fair market value equal only to the approximate value of the scrap in it.

The abandonment of a motor vehicle may result in the issuance of a notice of traffic infraction.

Summary:  The definition of a junk vehicle is changed in two ways.  First, the requirement that a vehicle must be without a valid, current registration plate is deleted.  Second, a vehicle must meet only three of the four remaining criteria in order to be classified as a junk vehicle by law enforcement.  A law enforcement officer writing a traffic infraction for an abandoned vehicle shall send a copy of the infraction to the last known address of the registered owner by certified mail.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  70 25

Senate 44 1 (Senate amended)

House  87 6 (House concurred)

Effective:  June 9, 1994