SENATE 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 Senate Committee On:
Transportation, March 19, 2007
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: Passed House: 3/06/07, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/15/07, 3/19/07 [DPA, w/oRec].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Marr, Vice Chair; Murray, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Clements, Jacobsen, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer, Pflug, Sheldon and Spanel.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senator Holmquist.
Staff: Dory Nicpon (786-7321)
Background: The Washington State Patrol (WSP) performs Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) inspections in Washington. To ensure that neither the vehicle nor major components of
the vehicle are stolen, VIN inspections are required prior to the Department of Licensing (DOL)
issuing or reissuing a title for a vehicle that has been rebuilt after being destroyed or declared a
total loss by an insurance company.
In 2006, the WSP performed 11,731 VIN inspections of vehicles that had been retained by the
owner of record after being destroyed or declared a total loss. That figure represents 25 percent
of all VIN inspections.
For vehicles requiring physical examination, the inspection fee is $50. The inspection fee is
deposited into the Motor Vehicle Account.
Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED AMENDMENT(S) AS
PASSED COMMITTEE (Transportation): A physical examination of a vehicle is not required
before the DOL may reissue a title where the vehicle is retained by the owner of record after being
destroyed or declared a total loss.
To the extent that WSP has a backlog of vehicle inspection to perform, nothing in the act reduces
WSP's vehicle inspection workload.
The fee for physical examination of a vehicle is raised from $50 to $65, $15 dollars of which is
deposited into the State Patrol Highway Account.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on March 14, 2007.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The striking amendment improves this agency request legislation. It clarifies that WSP is to: redirect its VIN inspection efforts at those inspections most likely to detect auto theft; and use existing VIN inspection program resources to reduce VIN inspection backlog.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Captain Jeff DeVere, WSP.