Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Business & Financial Services Committee

SSB 6005

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.

Background:

Written Price Estimates by Automotive Repair Facilities.

Prior to providing parts or labor, an automotive repair facility (repair facility) must provide a customer with the opportunity to receive a written price estimate of the total cost of the repair.

A customer may:

require the repair facility to contact the customer if the price will exceed the estimate by more than 10 percent;
permit the repair facility to proceed with repairs but require the repair facility to contact the customer if the price will exceed a specific authorized amount; or
waive the written estimate.

A repair facility may not charge the customer more than 110 percent of the estimated total, exclusive of sales tax, unless an oral or a written authorization to exceed the estimate is obtained by the repair facility from the customer.

There are specific record-keeping requirements associated with the estimate, any repairs, and any oral authorization by a customer.

Exception to the Written Estimate Requirement.

A written estimate is not required when the customer's motor vehicle or component is brought to a repair facility and there is no in-person discussion between the customer and an authorized agent or employee of the repair facility. Prior to providing parts and labor, the repair facility must obtain either the oral or written authorization of the customer. There are specific record-keeping requirements associated with the estimate, any repairs, and any oral authorization by a customer.

Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle License Plates.

"Collector vehicle license plate" means a special license plate that may be assigned to a vehicle that is more than 30 years old.

"Horseless carriage license plate" is a special license plate that may be assigned to a vehicle that is more than 40 years old.

"Street rod vehicle" means a motor vehicle that:

was manufactured before 1949 or was manufactured after 1948 to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949; and
has alterations to one or more of the major component parts that change the appearance or performance of the vehicle from the original manufacturer's design or has a body constructed from non-original materials.

"Custom vehicle" means any motor vehicle that:

is at least 30 years old and of a model year after 1948 or was manufactured to resemble a vehicle at least 30 years old and of a model year after 1948; and
has alterations to one or more of the major component parts that change the appearance or performance of the vehicle from the original manufacturer's design or has a body constructed from non-original materials.

Summary of Bill:

A written estimate is not required for the repair of any vehicle that:

qualifies for a horseless carriage license plate;
qualifies for a collector vehicle license plate;
is a parts car, which is a motor vehicle that is owned by a collector to furnish parts for restoration or maintenance of a vehicle that qualifies for a horseless carriage license plate or a collector vehicle license plate;
is a street rod vehicle; or
is a custom vehicle.

A customer seeking repair services for one of these exempt vehicles may request a written estimate. A written estimate may be provided at the discretion of the repair facility. The repair facility must advise the customer that the requested repairs will be furnished on a time and materials basis and will be billed at least every two weeks.