Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
HB 1521
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: Removing certain requirements for vehicle registration certificate applicants.
Sponsors: Representatives Zeiger, Fey, Warnick, Manweller, Kristiansen and Ryu.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/5/13
Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).
Background:
New Washington residents, unless exempt, must register their vehicles within 30 days from the date they become residents. For a person to register a vehicle, they must present either an unexpired Washington driver's license; or certification that he or she is: (1) a Washington resident who does not operate a motor vehicle on public roads; or (2) is exempt from the requirement to obtain a Washington driver's license. Exemptions include being: a member of the military; a nonresident driver; a person operating special highway construction equipment or farm equipment incidentally over a highway; or an operator of a locomotive upon rails.
A person falsifying residency for the purposes of vehicle registration is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of $529.
A person may register his or her vehicle in one of three ways:
in person - to bring the unexpired Washington driver's license to the Department of Licensing (DOL) and for each additional registered owner shown on the vehicle record a photo copy of, or to provide in writing, the driver's license number and expiration date;
for internet transaction - to enter the driver's license number and expiration date; and
by mail - provide in writing the driver's license number and expiration date.
The DOL has the authority to adopt rules for which a person applying for registration may be exempt from the requirements if the person provides evidence satisfactory to the DOL that he or she has a valid and compelling reason for not being able to meet these requirements.
Failure to make initial registration before the operation of the vehicle on the highway of the state is a traffic infraction of $529.
It is a gross misdemeanor for a resident to register a vehicle in another state to evade any tax or vehicle registrations. For a first offense - up to 364 days in the county jail, a fine of $529, and a fine of $1,000. For second and subsequent offenses - up to 364 days in the county jail, a fine of $529, and a fine of $5,000.
Summary of Bill:
The bill removes the requirement to present an expired Washington driver's license or certification that he or she qualifies for an exemption to this requirement.
The bill removes the gross misdemeanor fine of $529 for a person falsifying residency.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.