SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5268

                As Passed Senate, March 8, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the use of the department of licensing service account to replace, update, procure, and expand the number of workstation equipment used in the department of licensing vehicle field system.

Brief Description:  Restricting use of the department of licensing services account.

Sponsors:  Senators Owen, Wood and Prince.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/9/95, 2/23/95 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/8/95, 47‑0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Owen, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Fairley, Morton, Oke, Prentice, Prince, Rasmussen, Schow, Sellar and Wood.

Staff:  Jeff Doyle (786-7322)

Background:  County auditors are permitted by the Department of Licensing to license vehicles and issue plates.  A portion of the fees charged to persons using the county auditor for these services are placed in the Department of Licensing services account.  The money in the account can only be used for (1) Department of Licensing information and service delivery systems (e.g., computer equipment); and (2) reimbursement of county auditors' licensing services.

The Licensing Application Migration Program (LAMP) is a type of information and service delivery system used by the department.  Money from the licensing services account has contributed to the development of the LAMP system.

Summary of Bill:  Use of the licensing services account is restricted to purchasing and upgrading equipment and for reimbursement to the county auditor.  The funds in the account are in addition to existing state funds used for equipment upgrades, and do not supplant other state funds used for equipment upgrades.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will ensure that the 50-cent surcharge dedicated for the vehicle licensing services account is used solely to replace worn equipment and to reimburse county auditors.  Money cannot be used for advanced computer systems, such as LAMP.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Bob Terwilliger, Snohomish County Auditor (pro); Jim Buck, King County Licensing (pro); Al Bicotche, Mason County Auditor (pro); Karen Flynn, Kitsap County Auditor (pro).