Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
HB 1577
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: Concerning the furnishment of vehicle owner lists to manufacturers of motor vehicles.
Sponsors: Representatives Moscoso, Rodne, Blake, Takko, Klippert and Liias.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/11/13
Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).
Background:
The Department of Licensing (DOL) may furnish lists of registered and legal owners of motor vehicles only for the following purposes to:
manufacturers of motor vehicles, or their authorized agents, to be used for: (1) carrying out the provisions of the 1966 National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act for safety-related defects in motor vehicles; and (2) research activities and statistical reports during the 2011-13 fiscal biennium, as long as the personal information is not published, re-disclosed, or used to contact individuals;
governmental agencies of the United States or Canada, or political subdivisions, to be used by authorized commercial agents or contractors in connection with the enforcement of motor vehicle or traffic laws by, or programs related to traffic safety of, that government agency;
commercial parking companies to notify owners of outstanding parking violations;
authorized agents or contractors of the DOL, to be used for motor vehicle excise tax, licensing, title, and registration information to motor vehicle dealers;
businesses regularly making loans to persons to finance the purchase of motor vehicles; and
companies or their agents operating toll facilities to identify toll violators.
Where both a mailing address and a residence address are recorded on the vehicle record, only the mailing address will be disclosed. Both addresses will be disclosed in response to requests from courts, law enforcement, or government entities with enforcement, investigative, or taxing authority and only for use in the normal course of conducting their business.
If a list of registered and legal owners of motor vehicles is used for any purpose other than what is authorized, the manufacturer, governmental agency, commercial parking company, authorized agent, contractor, financial institution, toll facility operator, or their authorized agents or contractors responsible for the unauthorized disclosure or use will be denied future access to that information by the DOL.
Summary of Bill:
The bill changes the temporary authorization for the 2011 -2013 fiscal biennium to a permanent authorization for manufacturers of motor vehicles, or their authorized agents to receive lists of registered and legal owners from the DOL for research activities and producing statistical reports, as long as the personal information is not published, re-disclosed, or used to contact individuals.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.