HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1478

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.

Title: An act relating to vehicle registrations for deployed military personnel.

Brief Description: Addressing vehicle registrations for deployed military personnel.

Sponsors: Representatives Orcutt, Takko, McCune, Hurst, Herrera, Campbell, Johnson, Kelley and Dammeier.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 2/3/09 [DP].

Floor Activity

Passed House: 2/23/09, 97-0.

Passed Senate: 4/8/09, 45-0.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Bill

Starts a new vehicle registration year when the registered owner is a member of the United States armed forces and has been stationed outside of Washington.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Liias, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Rodne, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Cox, Dickerson, Driscoll, Ericksen, Finn, Herrera, Johnson, Klippert, Kristiansen, Moeller, Morris, Rolfes, Sells, Shea, Simpson, Springer, Takko, Upthegrove, Williams and Wood.

Background:

A vehicle's licensing registration year begins at 12:01 a.m. on the date designated by the Department of Licensing (DOL) and ends at 12:01 a.m. on the same date of the next calendar year. If a vehicle license previously issued in this state has expired and is renewed with a different registered owner, a new registration year is deemed to commence upon the date the expired license is renewed so that the renewed license will be useful for an entire 12-month period.

Summary of Bill:

Deployed military personnel are able to renew their vehicle registrations and have the registration year start on the date that the expired license is renewed so that the renewed license will be useful for an entire 12-month period. To be eligible, the registered owner must: be a member of the United States armed forces; have been stationed outside of Washington under military orders during the prior vehicle registration year; and provide the DOL with a copy of the military orders.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The individuals that are currently deployed outside of Washington are not driving their vehicles presently. They are members of the armed forces and, in all fairness, those individuals when they return home should be able to renew their expired car registrations and have that vehicle license be good for an entire 12-month period.

(Opposed) None.