FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6271

                           C 26 L 96

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Expanding automotive title branding.

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

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

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."

In 1995, an enactment mandated a study by DOL to examine the feasibility of displaying the "rebuilt" brand on the title and registration certificate of any rebuilt vehicle, regardless of age.  In addition, the study was to determine 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 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:  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 rebuilt vehicle are only applied to the door pillars of vehicles under six years of age.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    48 0

House     95 0

Effective:  June 6, 1996