SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 2029
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Transportation, March 21, 2001
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: 3/21/01 [DPA].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Benton, Eide, Finkbeiner, Horn, Jacobsen, Johnson, Kastama, McAuliffe, McDonald, Patterson, Prentice, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.
Staff: Jennifer Strus (786‑7484)
Background: To receive a certificate of ownership, vehicles registered in another state or country, or rebuilt after surrender of the certificate of ownership to the Department of Licensing (DOL) because of the vehicle's destruction or declaration as a total loss, must be inspected. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) or another person authorized by DOL performs this physical inspection and must verify the vehicle identification number.
Summary of Amended Bill: The requirement that the WSP conduct a physical inspection of vehicle inspection numbers on out-of-state or out-of-country cars before they are registered in this state is removed. The physical inspection requirement for rebuilt cars is retained. For vehicles previously registered in another state or country, there is a $15 fee. The inspection fee for rebuilt automobiles is raised from $20 to $50. 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.
Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill allowed auto dealers to conduct the VIN inspection. The striking amendment removes the requirement for a physical inspection of VIN numbers except for rebuilt cars.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available for original bill.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect July 1, 2001.
Testimony For: Auto dealers must have used cars they buy at auction inspected for VIN. They spend about $20 a car accomplishing this; the striking amendment will save each dealer about $20,000 to $30,000 a year. The Governor has been concerned about people in the Seattle area having to wait in line for VIN inspections; the striking amendment solves that problem. The union is pleased with the bill and the accompanying budget proviso because it provides stability to VIN inspection employees. The striking amendment achieves the responsibility to the public that many supporters of the VIN inspection program have sought through other means.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Representative Hurst, prime sponsor (pro); Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Auto Dealers (pro); Buzz Rodland, Washington State Auto Dealers (pro); Jim Hedrick, OFM (pro); Eric Robertson, WSP (pro); Don Briscoe, Local 17 (pro); Mel Sorenson, National Association of Independent Insurers (pro); Mike Kapphahn, Farmer's Insurance (pro).