HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6129
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 Passed House:
April 6, 2007
Title: An act relating to funding for the state patrol highway account.
Brief Description: Providing additional funding for the state patrol highway account.
Sponsors: By Senators Murray and Haugen.
Brief History:
Transportation: 3/27/07, 3/28/07 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 4/6/07, 83-11.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Jarrett, Ranking Minority Member; Schindler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Armstrong, Campbell, Curtis, Dickerson, Eddy, Hailey, Hankins, Hudgins, Kristiansen, Lovick, Rodne, Simpson, Springer, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Wallace and Wood.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Ericksen and Rolfes.
Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).
Background:
Under current law, residents of this state must register vehicles that are operated on the public
highways. Licensed vehicle dealers may issue a temporary permit to operate a vehicle for
which an application for registration has been made. The permit costs $5, is paid by the
dealer, and is credited to the registration fees at the time application for registration is made
by the dealer.
Vehicle dealers are authorized to charge a documentary service fee of up to $35 per vehicle
sale or lease. In order to charge the document service fee, vehicle dealers must observe the
following conditions: (1) the service fee must be disclosed in writing before the execution of
a purchase and sale or lease agreement; (2) the service fee is not represented to the buyer as a
fee or charge required by the state to be paid by either the dealer or the buyer; (3) the service
fee must be separately designated from the selling price of the vehicle and from any other
taxes, fees, or charges; and (4) dealers must disclose in any advertisement that a document
service fee of up to $35 may be added to the sale price of a vehicle.
Summary of Bill:
The fee for a temporary permit is raised from $5 to $15 and the documentary service fee is
raised from $35 to $50 per vehicle sale or lease.
Revenue derived from the fee increase on temporary permits is deposited in the State Patrol
Highway Account.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on August 1, 2007.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The State Patrol Highway Account is in serious need of funding due to increased
costs and transfers to the Motor Vehicle Account. The State Patrol Highway Account
revenue is controlled by the 18th Amendment of the State Constitution that requires the
funding to be used for state highway purposes, which includes the policing of the state's
highways. This temporary registration fee is directly tied to the licensing and registration of a
vehicle which is enforced on the highways by the Washington State Patrol. The increase in
the vehicle dealer documentary fee is to assist in offsetting the costs of preparing vehicle
registration documents by the vehicle dealers that are sent to the Department of Licensing to
complete the registration and titling during the sale or lease of a vehicle.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Chief John Batiste and John DeVere, Washington State Patrol; Rick Jensen, Washington State Patrol Trooper's Association; and Scott Hazelgrove, Washington State Auto Dealer's Association.