Brief Description: Revising the authority of a vehicle licensing subagent to recommend a successor.

Sponsors: Representatives O'Brien, Schindler, Jarrett, Dunn, Woods, McCune, Wood, Ericksen and Rodne.

Hearing Date: 3/2/05

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. Currently there are 39 county auditor and 136 subagent vehicle licensing offices throughout the state.

Subagents are appointed through an open, competitive process conducted by the county auditor. At a minimum, the process must include a written business proposal and oral interview in order for the county auditor to determine the applicants' qualifications. The county auditor submits all subagent proposals to the director of the DOL and recommends the appointment of one or more subagents. The director of the DOL has the final appointment authority.

A subagent may recommend a successor who is a sibling, spouse, child, or employee, who must participate in the open, competitive process.

Summary of Bill:

A subagent may recommend his or her successor who is either the subagent's sibling, spouse, child, or subagency employee. If the subagency is an entity, the recommended successor must be the sibling, spouse, or employee of an individual having a controlling interest in the subagency.

The county auditor must forward the subagent successor recommendation to the director of the DOL. The director must appoint the recommended successor if the person is otherwise qualified to be a subagent.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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