SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 1507

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 31, 1993

Brief Description:  Penalizing owners of abandoned, unauthorized, or junk vehicles.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Zellinsky, Ballard, Chappell, Van Luven, R. Johnson, Campbell, R. Meyers, Springer and Sheldon)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Skratek, Vice Chairman; Barr, Drew, Haugen, Nelson, Oke, Prentice, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Sheldon, von Reichbauer, and Winsley.

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786‑7307)

Hearing Dates: March 31, 1993

BACKGROUND:

A registered tow truck operator who has complied with all impoundment and notification laws has a lien upon a vehicle for the towing and storage charges incurred.

In addition to the lien, a registered tow truck operator has a deficiency claim against the registered owner of the vehicle for towing and storage of the vehicle not to exceed $300 less the amount bid at auction, and for vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, the deficiency is $1,000.

An individual who fails to respond to a traffic infraction is unable to renew a driver's license prior to satisfying the traffic infraction and other penalties.

SUMMARY:

The last registered owner of record is presumed liable for the abandonment of a vehicle unless the owner has filed a seller's report or vehicle theft report.  If an unauthorized vehicle is unredeemed, then the last registered owner is guilty of a traffic infraction.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The intent of the original bill is clarified by providing that a person must make restitution to the tow truck operator for services rendered prior to the traffic infraction being satisfied.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Provides that tow truck operators will be compensated for towing and storage charges.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Stu Halsan, Al Runte, WA Tow Truck Assn.