Title: An act relating to subagents' fees.

Brief Description: Increasing certain fees of licensing subagents.

Sponsors: Representatives O'Brien, Schindler, Jarrett, Dunn, Wood, Miloscia, Woods, Williams and Skinner.

Brief History:

Transportation: 3/2/05, 3/7/05 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Wallace, Vice Chair; Woods, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buck, Campbell, Curtis, Dickerson, Ericksen, Hankins, Jarrett, Lovick, Morris, Nixon, Rodne, Schindler, Sells, Shabro, Simpson, B. Sullivan, Takko and Wood.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Appleton, Flannigan, Hudgins, Kilmer and Upthegrove.

Staff: Teresa Berntsen (786-7301).

Background:

Under current law, the Department of Licensing (DOL) appoints county auditors to perform vehicle licensing services. The DOL may also appoint subagents within a county.

Subagents collect a service fee of $8.50 for changes in a certificate of ownership or for preparation of an affidavit of lost title. Subagents charge a $3.50 service fee for renewing a vehicle registration and other vehicle services.

Summary of Bill:

The subagent service fee for changes in certificate of ownership and preparation of an affidavit of lost title is changed from $8.50 to $10. The subagent service fee for renewing a vehicle registration or other service is changed from $3.50 to $4.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: Most subagencies are small, stand-alone businesses. New legislation and other initiatives, in an addition to increased costs of health care, leases, etc., have increased the cost of doing business. The last subagent fee increase was four years ago.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Neal Lockett, White Center Licencing Agency, Washington Association of Vehicle Subagents; Jan Novak, Don McCallum, and Patrick McMahan, Jr., Washington Association of Vehicle Subagents; and Thad Duvall, County Auditors Licensing Co-Chair, Douglas County Auditor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.