Brief Description: Regulating disclosure of addresses of vehicle owners.

Sponsors: Senators Haugen, Swecker, Jacobsen and Esser.

Hearing Date: 3/29/05

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

Currently, the Department of Licensing (DOL) may furnish lists of registered and legal owners of motor vehicles to the following entities for the indicated purposes:

• motor vehicle manufacturers, for safety recalls;
• U.S. and Canadian governmental agencies, for use in enforcement of vehicle or traffic laws;
• commercial parking companies, to notify owners of outstanding parking violations;
• DOL agents, to provide certain information to motor vehicle dealers;
• businesses making loans for the purchase of motor vehicles, to assist in determining whether to provide financing; and
• toll facilities, to identify toll violators.

The DOL may also release the name and address of an individual vehicle owner if the requesting party is a business entity that has entered into a disclosure agreement with the department and requests the information for use in the course of business.

Summary of Bill:

When both a residential address and a mailing address are on file with the DOL, only the mailing address may be disclosed, unless the request for information is from: (1) a law enforcement agency; (2) a government entity with enforcement, investigative, or taxing authority; or (3) for use in court proceeding or in preparation for court proceedings.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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