HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1343
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
Title: An act relating to examination requirements for a certificate of ownership.
Brief Description: Adding a physical examination requirement for certificate of ownership applications.
Sponsors: Representatives Takko and Armstrong; by request of Washington State Patrol.
Brief History:
Transportation: 2/13/07, 2/22/07 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 21 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Jarrett, Ranking Minority Member; Schindler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Armstrong, Campbell, Dickerson, Eddy, Ericksen, Hailey, Hankins, Hudgins, Lovick, Rodne, Rolfes, Sells, Simpson, Springer, Takko, Wallace and Wood.
Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).
Background:
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) performs Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
inspections in Washington. Mandatory inspections prior to the Department of Licensing
(DOL) issuing a title are: rebuilt vehicles after being destroyed or declared a total loss by an
insurance company. They also perform physical inspections on vehicles reported stolen,
homemade vehicles, or other vehicles without a proper VIN, when there is a VIN
discrepancy, when there is a recorded dispute, when ownership is in doubt, or other special
cases. The fee for a rebuilt vehicle or an assembled vehicle is $50.
Upon the destruction of any vehicle that was issued a title or a license registration, the
registered owner and the legal owner will surrender the certificate to the DOL, together with
a statement for the reason for the surrender and the date and place of the loss. The
registered/legal owner of the vehicle at the time of the loss may keep the vehicle and have the
vehicle rebuilt. The WSP will perform an inspection of the salvage rebuilt vehicle prior to
the re-issuance of a Washington title in order to verify that the VIN is genuine and that the
parts used to repair the vehicle are not stolen.
In 2006, the WSP performed 11,731 owner-retained inspections, which account for
approximately 25 percent of the VIN inspections.
Summary of Bill:
The owner of a vehicle that has been rebuilt after being declared a total loss is not required to
present the vehicle for physical inspection prior to title re-issuance if the person retained
ownership after the vehicle was declared a total loss.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The owner-rebuilt vehicles are inspected to verify that the VIN is genuine and
the parts used to repair the vehicle are not stolen. In the last three years only one vehicle was
found to be stolen. These inspections represent 25 percent of the vehicle inspections. Some
vehicles are not totaled or destroyed, but insurance companies may total a vehicle because the
repairs are more than the vehicle is worth. Presently the wait time for an inspection is 28
days. This would reduce the wait time for the other required inspections to 20 days. The
owner-built inspections are not needed since problems have not been identified.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Takko, prime sponsor; Jeff Devere, Washington State Patrol; and Mike Gable, Department of Licensing.