5250-S

AN ACT Relating to motor vehicle equipment; adding new sections to chapter 46.04 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 46.12 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 46.16 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.37 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds and declares that constructive leisure pursuits by Washington citizens is most important. This act is intended to encourage responsible participation in the hobby of collecting, preserving, restoring, and maintaining motor vehicles of historic and special interest, which hobby contributes to the enjoyment of the citizens and the preservation of Washington's automotive memorabilia.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows:

"Collector" means the owner of one or more vehicles described in RCW 46.16.305(1) who collects, purchases, acquires, trades, or disposes of the vehicle or parts of it, for his or her personal use, in order to preserve, restore, and maintain the vehicle for hobby or historical purposes.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows:

"Parts car" means a motor vehicle that is owned by a collector to furnish parts for restoration or maintenance of a vehicle described in RCW 46.16.305(1), thus enabling a collector to preserve, restore, and maintain such a vehicle.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows:

"Street rod vehicle" is a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, that meets the following conditions:

(1) The vehicle was manufactured before 1949, or the vehicle has been assembled or reconstructed using major component parts of a motor vehicle manufactured before 1949; and

(2) The vehicle has been modified in its body style or design through the use of nonoriginal or reproduction components, such as frame, engine, drive train, suspension, or brakes in a manner that does not adversely affect its safe performance as a motor vehicle or render it unlawful for highway use.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows:

"Kit vehicle" means a passenger car or light truck assembled from a manufactured kit, and is either (1) a complete kit consisting of a prefabricated body and chassis used to construct a new vehicle, or (2) a kit consisting of a prefabricated body to be mounted on an existing vehicle chassis and drive train, commonly referred to as a donor vehicle.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 46.12 RCW to read as follows:

The state patrol shall inspect a street rod vehicle and assign a vehicle identification number in accordance with chapter 46.12 RCW.

A street rod vehicle shall be titled as the make and year of the vehicle as originally manufactured. The title shall be branded with the designation "street rod."

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 46.12 RCW to read as follows:

The owner of a parts car must possess a title for each such vehicle and must document the use of any parts taken off the parts car for use on a vehicle described in RCW 46.16.305(1). A parts car may not be used for any purpose other than to maintain a vehicle owned by a collector.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 46.12 RCW to read as follows:

The following procedures must be followed when applying for a certificate of ownership for a kit vehicle:

(1) The vehicle identification number (VIN) of a new vehicle kit and of a body kit will be taken from the manufacturer's certificate of origin belonging to that vehicle. If the VIN is not available, the Washington state patrol shall assign a VIN at the time of inspection.

(2) The model year of a manufactured new vehicle kit and manufactured body kit is the year reflected on the manufacturer's certificate of origin.

(3) The make shall be listed as "KITV," and the series and body designation must describe what the vehicle looks like, i.e. Bradley GT, 57 MG.

(4) Except for kit vehicles licensed under section 10(5) of this act, kit vehicles must comply with chapter 204-90 WAC.

(5) The application for the certificate of ownership must be accompanied by the following documents:

(a) For a manufactured new vehicle kit, the manufacturer's certificate of origin or equivalent document;

(b)(i) For a manufactured body kit, the manufacturer's certificate of origin or equivalent document; (ii) for the frame, the title or a certified copy or equivalent document;

(c) Bills of sale or invoices for all major components used in the construction of the vehicle. The bills of sale must be notarized unless the vendor is registered with the department of revenue for the collection of retail sales or use tax. The bills of sale must include the names and addresses of the seller and purchaser, a description of the vehicle or part being sold, including the make, model, and identification or serial number, the date of sale, and the purchase price of the vehicle or part;

(d) A statement as defined in WAC 308-56A-150 by an authorized inspector of the Washington state patrol or other person authorized by the department of licensing verifying the vehicle identification number, and year and make when applicable;

(e) A completed declaration of value form (TD 420-737) to determine the value for excise tax if the purchase cost and year is unknown or incomplete.

(6) A Washington state patrol VIN inspector must ensure that all parts are documented by titles, notarized bills of sale, or business receipts such as obtained from a wrecking yard purchase. The bills of sale must contain the VIN of the vehicle the parts came from, or the yard number if from a wrecking yard.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 46.12 RCW to read as follows:

The following documents are required for issuance of a certificate of ownership or registration for a kit vehicle:

(1) For a new vehicle kit or a manufactured body kit, the owner shall supply a manufacturer's certificate of origin or a factory invoice.

(2) For a manufactured body kit, proof of ownership for all major parts used in the construction of the vehicle is required.

(a) Major parts include:

(i) Frame;

(ii) Engine;

(iii) Axles;

(iv) Transmission;

(v) Any other parts that carry vehicle identification numbers.

(b) If the frame from a donor vehicle is used and the remainder of the donor vehicle is to be sold or destroyed, the title is required as an ownership document to the buyer. The agent or subagent may make a certified copy of the title for documentation of the frame for this transaction.

(3) Payment of use tax on the frame and all component parts used is required, unless proof of payment of the sales or use tax is submitted.

(4) A completed declaration of value form (TD 420-737) to determine the value of the vehicle for excise tax purposes is required if the purchase cost and year of purchase is unknown.

(5) An odometer disclosure statement is required on all originals and transfers of title for vehicles under ten years old, unless otherwise exempt by law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:

All kit vehicles are licensed as original transactions when first titled in Washington, and the following provisions apply:

(1) The department of licensing shall charge original licensing fees and issue new plates appropriate to the use class.

(2) An inspection by the Washington state patrol is required to determine the correct identification number, and year or make if needed.

(3) The use class is the actual use of the vehicle, i.e. passenger car or truck.

(4) The make shall be listed as "KITV," and the series and body designation must describe what the vehicle looks like, i.e. 48 Bradley GT, 57 MG.

(5) Upon payment of original licensing fees the department may license a kit vehicle under RCW 46.16.305(1) as a street rod if the vehicle is manufactured to have the same appearance as a similar vehicle manufactured before 1949.

(6) For a manufactured new vehicle kit and a manufactured body kit, the model year of the vehicle is the year reflected on the manufacturer's certificate of origin for that vehicle. If this is not available, the Washington state patrol shall assign a model year at the time of inspection.

(7) The vehicle identification number (VIN) of a new vehicle kit and body kit is the vehicle identification number as reflected on the manufacturer's certificate of origin. If the VIN is not available, the Washington state patrol shall assign a VIN at the time of inspection.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:

A collectors' vehicle licensed under RCW 46.16.305(1) may only be used for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and occasional pleasure driving.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. A new section is added to chapter 46.37 RCW to read as follows:

Notwithstanding the requirements of this chapter, hoods and bumpers are optional equipment on street rods and kit vehicles. Street rods and kit vehicles must comply with fender requirements under RCW 46.37.500(2) and the windshield requirement of RCW 46.37.410(1).