Brief Description: Requiring vehicle registration at the residence address.

Sponsors: Representatives Murray, Ericksen, Hankins, Jarrett, McDermott, Rockefeller, Morris, Simpson, G., Wood, Campbell, Sommers, Armstrong, Santos, Sullivan, Wallace and Clibborn.

Hearing Date: 1/27/04

Staff: Jeff Doyle (786-7322).

Background:

Current law requires persons manifesting an intent to live or be located in Washington on more than a temporary basis to register their vehicles in Washington state. When registering a vehicle, persons must list their name and address on the application for registration. However, there is no legal requirement that the address given on the application be a person's residence. In fact, there is no definition of what constitutes "residence address" in the vehicle licensing statutes.

In 2002, the legislature authorized the formation of certain local and regional transportation districts. These districts were empowered to levy taxes and fees for the purpose of generating local revenue for transportation improvements within the locality. Some of these taxes and fees may be imposed upon vehicles registered within the taxing district. However, without a legal requirement that owners provide their residence address when registering their vehicles, it is very difficult for licensing agents to ascertain whether a person lives within a local taxing jurisdiction. At least one local transportation taxing district reports that some residents are registering their vehicles at addresses outside of the district in hopes of avoiding payment of local vehicle registration fees.

Also in 2002, the legislature intended to exempt new car sales from certain locally-imposed taxes and fees. To accomplish this, the law was written so that these local taxes would be imposed only upon vehicles "relicensed" in Washington. There is no current definition of the term "relicense" in the vehicle registration statutes. The DOL uses the term "renewal." The unintended effect of the terminology adopted in 2002 is that persons who bring their used vehicle into Washington (whether they are new residents or simply purchasers of a used vehicle) are not charged the same locally-imposed taxes and fees that are charged to other residents of the local taxing district.

Summary of Bill:

Persons registering or renewing their vehicle license in Washington must provide, under penalty of perjury, their residence address on the application for vehicle licensing. The DOL is prohibited from issuing a vehicle license to a person it believes is misrepresenting his or her true residence, unless that person presents satisfactory evidence that he or she is not, in fact, a resident of the local taxing district; or that an exemption applies; or that he or she corrects the residence stated on the application and pays all applicable local taxes, plus a $15 surcharge.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.