Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 1480

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

Establishes a definition for an intermittent use license plate.
Establishes an initial registration fee of $187.50 for an intermittent trailer license plate and where the fees are to be distributed.
Implements an intermittent use trailer license plate that is not subject to registration renewals.
Specifies when an intermittent license plate may be used on a trailer.
Specifies when an intermittent license plate must be removed from a trailer.
Establishes traffic infraction amounts for violation of the intermittent trailer license plate statutes.
Provides that an intermittent license plate is not allowed to be personalized or be a special license plate for persons with disabilities.

Background:

There are different types of trailers registered in the State of Washington that are subject to various fees based on weight and the purpose for which the trailer is used. Generally, all vehicles that are operated on public highways, including trailers, are subject to vehicle registration, annual registration renewal, various taxes and fees due at registration and registration renewal, and license plate replacement when a trailer changes ownership.

In addition to other taxes and fees that are due annually, a single-axle trailer that is used for private non-commercial use has an initial registration and annual renewal fee of $15. This fee is distributed 22.36 percent to the State Patrol Highway Account, 1.375 percent to the Puget Sound Ferry Operations Account, 5.237 percent to the Nickel Account, and 11.533 percent to the Transportation Partnership Account, with the remaining proceeds being deposited to the Motor Vehicle Fund.

In addition to other taxes and fees that are normally due annually, trailers that are over 2,000 pounds and travel trailers have an initial registration and renewal fee of $30. Of each initial or renewal vehicle license fee, $20.35 must be deposited in the State Patrol Highway Account, $2.02 of each initial vehicle license fee, and 93 cents of each renewal vehicle license fee must be deposited in the Puget Sound Ferry Operations Account, and the remaining proceeds are deposited to the Motor Vehicle Fund.

The majority of the trailers pay a license plate technology fee of 25 cents and a license service fee of 50 cents at the time of initial and renewal registrations. A boat trailer registration has a $3 aquatic weed fee, which is deposited in the Aquatic Weeds Account. A recreational trailer has a $3 recreational vehicle sanitary disposal fee, which is deposited into the Recreational Vehicle Account.

According to the Department of Licensing (DOL), in fiscal year 2014 there were 547,870 private-use trailers, and 86,544 within that number were private-use trailers over 2,000 pounds that paid a $30 registration fee.

Summary of Bill:

The registered owner of a trailer that is used only for intermittent personal use may apply for a permanent license plate and registration for a fee of $187.50. An "intermittent use trailer" means a trailer in good working order that is used only for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, and parades, and for occasional pleasure use. "Occasional pleasure use" means use of a trailer that is not general or daily, but seasonal or sporadic and not more than once a week on average.

The applicant must purchase a registration for the intermittent use trailer and pay the special license plate fee of $187.50.

The applicant may receive an intermittent-use trailer license plate assigned by the DOL or provide an actual Washington-issued license plate designated for general use in the year of the intermittent-use trailer's manufacture. Any person who knowingly provides a false or facsimile license plate is subject to a traffic infraction and a fine in an amount equal to $124. Additionally, the person must pay for the cost of an intermittent-use trailer license plate, unless already paid.

Intermittent use trailer license plates are valid for the life of the intermittent use trailer and are not required to be renewed. The license plate must be displayed on the rear of the trailer.

If the owner of the trailer sells, transfers, or conveys the trailer to another person or entity, the license plate must be removed prior to the transfer to the new owner and the new owner must obtain a new registration and appropriate license plate.

A person that is in violation of the intermittent trailer license plate statutes is subject to a traffic infraction of a maximum fine of $150 including all other assessments and fees.

An intermittent license plate is not allowed to be personalized or be a special license plate for persons with disabilities.

The $187.50 is distributed as $20.35 to the State Patrol highway Account, $2.02 of each initial fee to the Puget Sound Ferry Operations Account, and the remainder to the Motor Vehicle Fund.