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ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2254
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Passed Legislature - 1996 Regular Session
State of Washington 54th Legislature 1996
Regular Session
By
Read first time 01/08/96. Referred to Committee
on Trade & Economic Development.
Providing special plates and fee
exemptions for representatives of foreign organizations.
AN ACT Relating to
vehicle license plates for officers of a recognized foreign organization;
amending RCW 82.80.020; adding new sections to chapter 46.16 RCW; and adding a
new section to chapter 82.44 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec.
1. A new section is added
to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:
(1) If the eligible
applicant bears the entire cost of plate production, the department shall
provide for the issuance of special license plates, in lieu of regular motor
vehicle license plates, for passenger vehicles having manufacturers' rated
carrying capacities of one ton or less that are owned or leased by an officer
of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. The department shall issue the
special license plates in a distinguishing color, running in a separate
numerical series, and bearing the words "Foreign Organization." A
vehicle for which special license plates are issued under this section is exempt
from regular license fees under RCW 46.16.060, excise tax under RCW 82.44.020,
and any additional vehicle license fees imposed under RCW 82.80.020.
(2) Whenever the owner
or lessee as provided in subsection (1) of this section transfers or assigns
the interest or title in the motor vehicle for which the special plates were
issued, the plates must be removed from the motor vehicle, and if another
qualified vehicle is acquired, attached to that vehicle, and the director must
be immediately notified of the transfer of the plates; otherwise the removed
plates must be immediately forwarded to the director to be destroyed. Whenever
the owner or lessee as provided in subsection (1) of this section is for any
reason relieved of his or her duties as a representative of a recognized
foreign organization, he or she shall immediately forward the special plates to
the director, who shall upon receipt dispose of the plates as otherwise
provided by law.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
2. A new section is added
to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:
A motor vehicle owned
or leased by an officer of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office eligible for
a special license plate under section 1 of this act is exempt from the payment
of license fees for the licensing of the vehicle as provided in this chapter.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
3. A new section is added
to chapter 82.44 RCW to read as follows:
Motor vehicles licensed
under section 1 of this act are exempt from the taxes imposed in RCW 82.44.020
(1) and (2). When the motor vehicle ceases to be used for the purposes of
section 1 of this act or at the time of its retail sale, the excise tax imposed
in RCW 82.44.020 (1) and (2) must be imposed for twelve full months from the
date of application of the new owner.
Sec. 4. RCW 82.80.020 and 1993 c
60 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The legislative
authority of a county may fix and impose an additional fee, not to exceed
fifteen dollars per vehicle, for each vehicle that is subject to license fees
under RCW 46.16.060 and is determined by the department of licensing to be
registered within the boundaries of the county.
(2) The department of
licensing shall administer and collect the fee. The department shall deduct a
percentage amount, as provided by contract, not to exceed two percent of the
taxes collected, for administration and collection expenses incurred by it.
The remaining proceeds shall be remitted to the custody of the state treasurer
for monthly distribution under RCW 82.80.080.
(3) The proceeds of
this fee shall be used strictly for transportation purposes in accordance with
RCW 82.80.070.
(4) A county imposing
this fee or initiating an exemption process shall delay the effective date at least
six months from the date the ordinance is enacted to allow the department of
licensing to implement administration and collection of or exemption from the
fee.
(5) The legislative
authority of a county may develop and initiate an exemption process of the
fifteen dollar fee for the registered owners of vehicles residing within the
boundaries of the county (a) who are sixty-one years old or older at the time
payment of the fee is due and whose household income for the previous calendar
year is less than an amount prescribed by the county legislative authority, or
(b) who has a physical disability.
(6) The
legislative authority of a county shall develop and initiate an exemption
process of the fifteen-dollar fee for vehicles registered within the boundaries
of the county that are licensed under section 1 of this act.
