FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 6476

                          C 315 L 96

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Adjusting vehicle and vessel fees.

Sponsors:  Senators Sheldon and Schow.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background:  The Department of Licensing (DOL) empowers county auditors to perform certain motor vehicle licensing services.  The county auditors may request DOL to appoint subagents within the county.  A subagent is an authorized provider of licensing services.  Both subagents and county auditors charge service fees in addition to regular licensing fees paid by the vehicle owner.

County auditor and subagent fees are set in statute.  In 1992 the Legislature formed a Title and Registration Advisory Committee (TRAC) to make recommendations concerning the services provided by county auditors and subagents and the fees charged.  The recommendations were due January 1, 1996.

This past interim TRAC recommended changes to state law, enabling county auditors and subagents to perform vessel licensing and titling and increasing service fees.

Summary:  The licensing authority of county auditors and subagents is expanded to include vessel registration and titles.  Every three years DOL must analyze and evaluate the service fee structure, and make any recommendations for increases to the Legislative Transportation Committee.  Criteria for recommending fee increases are specified.

Fee increases for county auditors are authorized as follows:  an increase from $2 to $3 for applications for registration of vehicles and vessels; an increase from $3 to $4 for certificates of ownership of vehicles and vessels; and a new $1 fee for registration of trucks, tractors, buses, for hire vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers and pole trailers.

Fee increases for subagents are as follows:  an increase from $5.50 to $7.50 for changes in ownership, verification of record and affidavits of lost title; and an increase from $2.25 to $3 for registration renewals, transit permits or miscellaneous licensing activities.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    48 1

House     90 0 (House amended)

Senate        (Senate refused to concur)

House     86 9 (House receded)

Effective:  June 6, 1996

          July 1, 1996 (Section 1)

          January 1, 1997 (Section 4)

          July 1, 1997 (Section 5)