SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5568

As Passed Senate, February 19, 2002

Title:  An act relating to business location requirements for registered tow truck operators.

Brief Description:  Clarifying business location requirements for tow truck operators.

Sponsors:  Senators Prentice and Benton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  1/24/02, 2/12/02 [DP].

Passed Senate:  2/19/02, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Benton, Horn, Jacobsen, Kastama, Keiser, McDonald, Oke, Prentice, T. Sheldon and Swecker.

Staff:  Dean Carlson (786‑7305)

Background:  Under current law, the business location of a registered tow truck operator is the location in which the firm keeps its files.  A registered tow truck operator may have multiple business locations, each of which requires a separate registration certificate.

Summary of Bill:  The business location for a registered tow truck operator serves as its business location for all purposes including for business licensure.  A registered tow truck operator is exempt from licensure in a political subdivision based solely upon the operator picking up or delivering a vehicle within the political subdivision.  However, a registered tow truck operator may be required to have a business license in a jurisdiction in which the operator has a fixed place of business, a contract with a law enforcement agency with the jurisdiction or a contract with businesses in the jurisdiction to perform private impounds.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Where your business is, is where you should be required to be licensed.  It is burdensome to be required to be licensed in every jurisdiction that you pick up or drop off a vehicle.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Stu Halsan, Washington Tow Truck Association (pro);  Jerry Goddard, Independent Towers of Washington (pro).