Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
SB 6379
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. |
Brief Description: Streamlining and making technical corrections to vehicle and vessel registration and title provisions.
Sponsors: Senators Swecker, Hatfield, Marr, Haugen, Berkey, Ranker, Sheldon and Kauffman.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/22/10
Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).
Background:
Current vehicle and vessel title and registration statutes are codified in various chapters of law and are often difficult to find and understand. Additionally, corresponding vehicle tax and fee statutes, including revenue distribution statutes, are also challenging for the reader to follow. As such, the 2007-2009 biennial Transportation Budget directed the Department of Licensing (DOL) to submit to the Legislature draft legislation that "streamlines title and registration statutes to specifically address apparent conflicts, fee distribution, and other relevant issues that are revenue neutral and which do not change legislative policy." The DOL worked with the Code Reviser's Office and the State Attorney General's Office in drafting the legislation.
The bill draft was submitted by DOL in 2009 and was subsequently reviewed by combined staffs of the Senate and House Transportation Committees and other stakeholders.
Summary of Bill:
Numerous vehicle and vessel title and registration statutes, including applicable tax and fee statutes, are streamlined and reorganized, and written in plain language so as to assist the reader.
The bill is revenue and policy neutral, with two exceptions: (1) the permit to licensed wreckers for junk vehicles was repealed because the permit has never existed; and (2) the Cooper Jones emblem was repealed because the emblems are no longer provided, due to the recent enactment of the "Share the Road" special license plate promoting bicycle safety and awareness.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2011, except for section 1020, which takes effect June 30, 2012.