SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5563

                AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 9, 1993

Brief Description:  Permitting monthly licensed farm vehicles to buy trip permits.

SPONSORS: Senators Barr, Vognild, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Quigley, Deccio and Hochstatter

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

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

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786‑7309)

Hearing Dates: February 16, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The annual vehicle license fee for trucks over 4,000 pounds is called the "combined license fee" which consists of a basic registration fee and a tonnage fee based on the declared gross weight of the vehicle.  Vehicles over 12,000 pounds may purchase the combined license on a monthly basis by paying 100 percent of the annual MVET and 1/12 of the combined license fee, plus $2.

Certain farm vehicles may be specially licensed under a reduced combined license fee formula (approximately one-half the cost of the combined license fee) if the vehicle is owned and operated by a farmer, and 1) is used to transport the farmer's own products to market or supplies to the farm (forestry products are not included); or 2) is used for the infrequent transportation by one farmer for another when compensation is other than money.

Vehicle trip permits are issued in lieu of vehicle registration.  This $10 permit authorizes the operation of a single vehicle for three days.  No more than three permits may be issued in 30 consecutive days.  Blank permits may be purchased from the Department of Licensing (DOL), Department of Transportation or the Washington State Patrol.

In 1987 legislation was enacted to prohibit a vehicle owner who purchases a monthly combined license permit from using trip permits.  The purpose was to eliminate abuse of trip permits.  The practice was to license a vehicle for one month by paying 100 percent of the MVET and 1/2 of the combined license fee.  DOL would issue vehicle license plate tabs valid for one year and a cab card valid for one month.  After expiration of the first month, the owner would operate the vehicle on trip permits for the rest of the year.  Only by physically stopping the vehicle and inspecting the cab card did a law enforcement officer know if the vehicle was legally licensed.

Prior to 1987, a farmer operating a farm vehicle on an infrequent basis could purchase a three-day trip permit in lieu of the monthly combined license permit.

SUMMARY:

A farmer who meets the special reduced farm vehicle licensing provisions, may, in lieu of monthly combined licensing, purchase a three-day trip permit.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one