Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 1933

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 Summary of Bill

Changes the years required to apply for a collector plate from 30 years to 40 years.
Implements increased penalties for a violation related to the restricted use for horseless carriage and collector vehicles.
Directs the Department of Licensing to provide a method by which law enforcement officers may readily access vehicle information for collector vehicles.

Background:

A registered owner may apply for a horseless carriage license plate for a motor vehicle that is at least 40 years old. The original registration fee is $35, and the plates are valid for the life of the motor vehicle, are not required to be renewed, cannot be transferred to any other motor vehicle, and must be displayed on the rear of the motor vehicle. There are approximately 9,000 horseless carriage vehicles registered.

A registered owner may apply for a collector vehicle plate that is at least 30 years old. The owner may receive a collector plate that is assigned by the Department of Licensing (DOL) or the owner can provide an actual Washington state-issued license plate designated for general use in the year of the vehicle's manufacture. The original registration is $35, and the plates are valid for the life of the vehicle, are not required to be renewed, may be transferred from one vehicle to another vehicle, and must be displayed on the rear of the motor vehicle. There are approximately 111,000 collector vehicles registered.

These vehicles can only be used for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and occasional driving.

Law enforcement officers, when stopping a motor vehicle, in many cases will run a "wants and warrants" on the registered vehicle's license plate to receive information on the registered owner and vehicle.

Summary of Bill:

The bill changes the years required to apply for a collector plate from 30 years to 40 years.

A person who is found to have committed a violation related to the use restrictions for a horseless carriage or collector vehicle will be assessed a monetary penalty equal to two times the amount of a traffic infraction. This penalty may not be waived, reduced, or suspended. After a third use violation, the horse carriage or collector plates, in addition to the penalty assessment, must be replaced with Washington state-issued plates. The vehicle after the third violation will also be placed on an annual registration and renewal period.

Any person who knowingly provides a false or facsimile license plate for a collector vehicle is guilty of a misdemeanor.

The DOL must provide a method by which law enforcement officers may readily access vehicle information for collector vehicles by using the collector vehicle license plate number.