SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6110
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Highways & Transportation, February 9, 2004
Title: An act relating to small trailer license fees.
Brief Description: Authorizing a reduced license fee for personal use trailers.
Sponsors: Senators Benton, Winsley, Carlson, Roach, Parlette, Johnson and Mulliken.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 2/9/04 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6110 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Haugen, Jacobsen, Kastama, Mulliken, Murray, Oke, Poulsen and Spanel.
Staff: Dean Carlson (786-7305)
Background: Prior to 2002, personal use trailers under 2,000 pounds were exempt from paying vehicle registration fees. They paid $4.50 for an original registration and $3.25 for a renewal registration.
In the 2002 session, the Legislature repealed the statute that exempted small trailers from paying vehicle registration fees. Because of this, small trailers became subject to the $30 vehicle registration fee and, in certain counties, became subject to the local licensing fees.
Summary of Substitute Bill: Single-axle personal use trailers under 2,000 pounds must pay an annual license fee of $15. Commercial trailers and trailers held for rent are not included in this lower licensing fee.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill was not considered.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 4, 2004.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect for registrations due or become due on October 1, 2004, and thereafter.
Testimony For: These trailers are much lighter and used less frequently than other vehicles so it is unfair to license them at the same price. Boaters support this as $30 is too much for trailers with such infrequent use.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Howard Briggs, Washington State Snowmobile Association (pro); Ray Schow, RBAW (pro).