HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 6271

                      As Passed House:

                      February 26, 1996

Title:  An act relating to vehicles that have been rebuilt from salvage.

Brief Description:  Expanding automotive title branding.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Long and Owen).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation:  2/14/96, 2/20/96 [DP].

  Floor Activity:

     Passed House:  2/26/96, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 25 members:  Representatives K. Schmidt, Chairman; Benton, Vice Chairman; Mitchell, Vice Chairman; Skinner, Vice Chairman; R. Fisher, Ranking Minority Member; Hatfield, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Blanton; Buck; Cairnes; Chopp; Elliot; Hankins; Horn; Johnson; McMahan; Ogden; Patterson; Quall; Robertson; Romero; D. Schmidt; Scott; Sterk and Tokuda.

Staff:  Roger Horn (786-7839).

Background:  Insurers and self-insured vehicle owners are required to submit to the Department of Licensing (DOL) the title of vehicles that have been declared a total loss.  If a totaled vehicle is subsequently rebuilt and the vehicle is under four years of age, the title and registration certificate issued for the vehicle are branded with the word "rebuilt." 

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5685, passed in 1995, mandated a study, led by DOL, to examine the feasibility of displaying the "rebuilt" brand on the title and registration certificate of any rebuilt vehicle, regardless of age, and, in addition, the feasibility of differentiating on the certificates whether the vehicle had been declared a total loss due to cosmetic or structural damage.  The study group recommended having the "rebuilt" brand apply to vehicles of any age without differentiating between cosmetic and structural damage. 

Beginning January 1, 1997, the Washington State Patrol, as part of the vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection required for all rebuilt vehicles, will affix or inscribe a marking on the driver's side door pillar indicating that the vehicle has been rebuilt.  The door pillar markings will be applied to rebuilt vehicles of any age.

Summary of Bill:  The requirement that titles and registration certificates of rebuilt vehicles be branded is expanded to include vehicles under six years of age.  Markings indicating a vehicle has been rebuilt are applied to the door pillars only of vehicles under six years of age.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 17, 1996.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  A consumer has a right to know if the vehicle being purchased has previously been declared a total loss.  Many totaled vehicles over four years old are rebuilt and currently have no rebuilt brand on the title.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Captain Tim Erickson, Washington State Patrol.