Title: An act relating to application for vehicle certificates of title.

Brief Description: Modifying procedures for applications for title reissuance when a vehicle has been declared a total loss.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Oke and Weinstein; by request of Washington State Patrol.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 01/26/06, 2/6/06 [DPS, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6548 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Benson, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Berkey, Eide, Esser, Kastama, Oke, Sheldon, Spanel, Swecker and Weinstein.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senator Mulliken.

Staff: Dory On (786-7321)

Background: A proper certificate of license registration and certificate of ownership are required to operate a vehicle lawfully on public highways. A physical examination of the vehicle is mandatory before the Department of Licensing may reissue a certificate of ownership after: 1) surrender of the certificate of ownership to the Department due to the vehicle's destruction or declaration as a total loss, or 2) the vehicle is declared totaled or salvage. The purpose of the inspection is to verify that the vehicle identification number (VIN) is genuine and to ensure that neither the vehicle nor major component parts used to repair the vehicle are stolen.

For each vehicle requiring a physical examination, the inspection fee is fifty dollars.

Summary of Substitute Bill: When the registered owner of a vehicle retains the vehicle after it has been declared a total loss, and submits an application for reissuance of certificate of ownership, a physical examination of the vehicle is not required.

Upon application for title reissuance, a fee of fifty dollars is collected for each vehicle declared a total loss or otherwise requiring an inspection.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The bill as referred to committee was not considered.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2006.

Testimony For: This bill will allow Washington State Patrol to devote their vehicle inspection resources to inspections that are most likely to recover stolen vehicles, and eliminate unnecessary vehicle inspections and frustration for owners who retain vehicles that are declared a total loss.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Captain Jeff DeVere, Washington State Patrol; Eric Andersen, Department of Licensing; T.K. Bentler, Washington State Independent Auto Dealers; Don Phelps, Auto Recyclers of Washington.