SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5693

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 17, 1993

Brief Description:  Authorizing exemptions from county vehicle license fees.

SPONSORS: Senators Vognild, Drew and Quigley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

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

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

Hearing Dates: February 23, 1993

BACKGROUND:

As part of the 1990 transportation revenue package, the Legislature authorized the counties to impose several different "local option" taxes to raise revenue for local transportation purposes.  One of the "local option" taxes is an addition to the state motor vehicle registration fee not to exceed $15.

The 1991 Legislature authorized a refund process that a county could initiate.  To qualify for a refund an individual must be a registered owner residing within the boundaries of the county and (a) be 61 years or older at the time of the payment of the fee and had income of less than $18,000 for the previous year, or (b) have a physical disability.

The counties which have instituted the local option $15 fee have found the refund process cost prohibitive and confusing to the public.  The public has been confused why they first have to pay the fee and then apply for a refund.

SUMMARY:

The current refund process is changed to an exemption process.  The qualification that specified that an individual had to be 61 years or older, and make less than $18,000 a year, is changed to 61 years or older and making less than an amount of income prescribed by the county legislative authority.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one