HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2029
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to certificates of ownership and registration.
Brief Description: Authorizing changes to the VIN inspection program.
Sponsors: By Representatives Hurst, Mitchell, Fisher, Hankins, Haigh, Anderson, Cooper, Ericksen, Ogden, Marine, Jarrett, Wood, Romero, Armstrong, Rockefeller, Mielke, Hatfield, Sump, Lovick, Simpson, Woods, Reardon, Morell, Skinner, Ahern, Jackley, Murray, Edmonds and Kenney.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 2/26/01, 3/7/01 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/12/01, 98-0.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 3/23/01, 47-0.
House Concurred.
Passed House: 4/16/01, 81-13.
Passed Legislature.
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Brief Summary of Bill
$Removes the requirement of a physical inspection of Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) for out-of-state or out-of-country vehicles.
$Increases the inspection fee for rebuilt vehicles from $20 to $50.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 30 members: Representatives Fisher, Democratic Co‑Chair; Mitchell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cooper, Democratic Vice Chair; Ericksen, Republican Vice Chair; Hankins, Republican Vice Chair; Lovick, Democratic Vice Chair; Ahern, Anderson, Armstrong, G. Chandler, Edmonds, Haigh, Hatfield, Hurst, Jackley, Jarrett, Marine, Mielke, Morell, Murray, Ogden, Reardon, Rockefeller, Romero, Schindler, Simpson, Skinner, Sump, Wood and Woods.
Staff: Melissa Beard (786‑7347).
Background:
In order to receive a certificate of ownership, vehicles that are registered in another state or county, or rebuilt after surrender of the certificate of ownership to the Department of Licensing (DOL) due to the vehicle=s destruction or declaration as a total loss, must be inspected. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) or another person authorized by the DOL performs this physical inspection and must verify the vehicle identification number.
Summary of Bill:
The requirement that Washington State Patrol (WSP) conduct a physical inspection of vehicle identification numbers on out-of-state or out-of-country vehicles before they are registered in this state is removed. For vehicles previously registered in another state or county, there is still a $15 inspection fee, to be collected by Department of Licensing (DOL). The DOL is required to institute a computer system to enable a stolen vehicle check. If during this check, the information on the vehicle indicates it was stolen, DOL must immediately report that fact to WSP and shall not register the car.
The physical inspection requirement for rebuilt vehicles is retained and will be completed by WSP. The inspection fee for rebuilt automobiles is raised from $20 to $50.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect July 1, 2001.
Testimony For: The Washington State Patrol supported the bill because it would provide relief to inspection sites and employees. Auto dealers were in support because, currently, they spend a great deal of time running their large volume of vehicles through the VIN inspection process. Local 17 is supportive of the bill because it brings some permanency to the current VIN inspector positions, however, they were concerned with the training standards for the licensed motor vehicle dealers.
Testimony Against: The insurance companies opposed the bill because it gives too much power to the private sector motor vehicle dealers. They are also unsure of the quality of inspections that would be performed by the motor vehicle dealers.
Testified: (Support) Eric Robertson, Washington State Patrol; Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Auto Dealers; and Kathy Cunningham, Local #17.
(Opposed) Mel Sorensen, National Association of Independent Insurers; and Mike Kapphahn, Farmers Insurance.