SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6305

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Highways & Transportation, February 9, 2004

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 Esser, T. Sheldon and B. Sheldon.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 2/9/04 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: 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: 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 of a registered tow truck operator serves as its business location for all purposes including for business licensure. Registered tow truck operators are exempt from licensing in a political subdivision based solely upon an operator picking up or delivering a towed vehicle within the political subdivision.

However, a registered tow truck operator may be required to have a business license: 1) in a jurisdiction in which the operator has a fixed place of business; 2) in a jurisdiction in which the operator has a contract with police agencies to perform law enforcement impounds; or 3) in a jurisdiction in which the operator has contracts with businesses 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: It is very burdensome if tow truck operators have to be licensed in a city because they simply pick up or deliver a vehicle. This bill would require licensing if they have an on-going business interest.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Stacy Tucker, Washington Tow Truck Association (pro).