SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1036

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Highways & Transportation, April 7, 2003

Title: An act relating to department of licensing agent and subagent provisions.

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

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

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 3/27/03, 4/7/03 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Finkbeiner, Mulliken, Oke and Prentice.

Staff: Kimberly Johnson (786-7346)

Background: The Department of Licensing (DOL) now offers various vehicle licensing services on-line. Internet Payment Option (IPO) customers may select to: (1) pick up their replacement plates or registration renewal tabs at either a county auditor or subagent office; or (2) receive their registration renewal tabs through the mail. DOL intends to offer the option of having replacement plates mailed to IPO customers by July 2003.

Currently, only county auditors are authorized to mail replacement plates or registration renewal tabs to IPO customers who choose the mail option.

Summary of Amended Bill: Subagents are granted the same authority as the county auditors to mail replacement plates or registration renewal tabs to IPO customers.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill: 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 and county auditors. A null and void clause is provided.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on October 1, 2003.

Testimony For: This bill allows customers to have more options on-line. Subagents should have the same authority to process these customer requests as the county auditors.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Jan Novak and Don McCallum, Washington Association of Vehicle Subagents (pro).