FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6467

                          C 229 L 00

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Reversing the 1999 license fraud law.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Goings, Haugen, Eide, Sellar and Winsley).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background:  In 1999, the Legislature decriminalized license fraud and enacted civil penalties for intentionally licensing a vehicle in another state.  Individuals who license vehicles in another state to avoid paying Washington taxes or fees are liable for a minimum monetary penalty of $1,000 and a maximum penalty of $10,000.

The Legislature also authorized the Washington State Patrol to use an administrative process to enforce the civil penalties established for license fraud.  As a result of establishing this process, local law enforcement officials no longer had the authority to issue citations for license fraud.

Summary:  The specific administrative process for the Washington State Patrol is eliminated.  The criminal penalties for license fraud are reinstated.  Intentionally registering a vehicle in another state to evade Washington taxes and fees constitutes a gross misdemeanor.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 440

House970(House amended)

Senate 450(Senate concurred)

Effective:March 30, 2000