SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5305

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Transportation, March 3, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the use of county auditors and subagents by the director of licensing.

Brief Description:  Using county auditors and subagents by the director of licensing.

Sponsors:  Senators Heavey, Schow, Sheldon, Oke, Wood and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/9/95, 3/3/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5305 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Jeff Doyle (786-7322)

Background:  Current law allows, but does not require, the Director of the Department of Licensing to use county auditors and/or subagents to license vehicles and issue plates.

There is no provision in law allowing auditors or subagents to renew driver's licenses, conduct pro-rate licensing or renew other professional licenses administered by the department.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Department of Licensing may use county auditors and subagents to license vehicles, renew driver's licenses, process all special license plates, conduct pro-rate licensing, and renew other professional licenses granted by the department.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The Department of Licensing retains some discretion in choosing which licensing activities can be done most efficiently by the county auditors and subagents.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Expanding the licensing activities subagents can do will result in better service to the public or lower government costs.

Testimony Against:  The Legislature should be cautious about which activities subagents are authorized to conduct.  Many of the licensing activities, such as VIN inspectors, require special training.

Testified:  Mark Pfouts, WAVS (pro); Dennis Schlenz, Lacey Auto Licensing (pro); Vicki Pfouts, Canyon Park Licensing (pro); George Cohee, Federal Way Licensing (pro); Bob Lichtner, WSP (con); Robert Nold, WSP (con); Eugene St. John, WA Public Employees Assn. (con); Patrick McMahan, McMahan, License Agency (pro).