FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1036

C 369 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Modifying subagent authority to process mail-in vehicle registration renewals.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Hatfield, Woods, Simpson, Cooper, Rockefeller and Mielke).

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation

Background:

A Washington vehicle owner can use the Internet to renew his or her license tabs. There are two ways to receive tabs: have them mailed or pick them up at a county auditor or subagent office chosen by the customer. If a person chooses to have them mailed, the information is sent to the county auditor's office and that office processes all mail requests.

Replacement plates cannot be requested through the Internet. A person must go to his or her county auditor or subagent to purchase replacement plates or must send his or her renewal to the county auditor for mail out. The Department of Licensing is planning to offer replacement plates through the Internet and hopes to have the option available July 2003.

Summary:

Subagents are given authority to mail out license tabs if chosen by the customer when renewing his or her vehicle registration through the Internet. Subagents are also given the authority to mail out replacement plates to Internet customers when that option becomes available. This authority includes being reimbursed for the cost of postage to mail out the replacement plates.

The Department of Licensing is required to provide notice to Internet customers on the web page that lists each department, county auditor, and subagent office that additional fees will be collected for services provided by subagents.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 96  0

Senate 36  12  (Senate amended)

House 97  0    (House concurred)

Effective: October 1, 2003