FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2413

C 20 L 16

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning aircraft registration simplification and fairness.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Dent, Tarleton, Dye, Gregerson, Griffey, Hargrove, Klippert, Pike, Muri, Condotta and McBride).

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

The Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) Aviation is responsible for registering aircraft in the Washington. Every aircraft must be registered with the DOT each calendar year in which the aircraft is operated or based within Washington. The registration is based on a calendar year and is collected during the month of January. The registration fee is $15. An excise tax is also imposed on each aircraft; it is collected annually or on a staggered collection schedule. The excise tax is based on the type of aircraft and whether it is operated privately or by a commuter air carrier.

Failure to register an aircraft as required is subject to the following penalties: (1) if the registration is 60 to 119 days past due, the penalty is $100; (2) if the registration is 120 days to 180 days past due, the penalty is $200; and (3) if the registration is over 180 days past due, the penalty is $400.

The revenue from the registration fees, excise tax, and penalties are deposited into the Aeronautics Account.

If the DOT is satisfied the requirements for the registration of the aircraft have been met, then a certificate of registration is issued.

There are aircraft that are exempt from registration: government aircraft; foreign aircraft; non-resident owned aircraft; and large private airplanes here for repair, alteration, reconstruction, or storage for more than a year.

A municipality or port district that owns, operates, or leases an airport with the intent to operate, must require from an aircraft owner proof of aircraft registration as a condition of leasing or selling tie-down or hangar space for an aircraft.

Summary:

The existing tiered penalty structure is removed and replaced with one penalty of $100 if the aircraft registration is 60 days or more past due. A schedule is implemented for providing proof of registration to a municipality or port district that owns, operates or leases an airport. The schedule is:

• For the purchase of tie-down or hangar space, the airport must allow 30 days from the date of the application for purchase to produce proof of the aircraft registration.

• For the lease of tie-down or hangar space that extends 30 days or more, the airport must allow the lessee 30 days to produce proof of the aircraft registration from the date of the application for lease of tie-down or hangar space.

• For the lease of tie-down or hangar space that extends less than 30 days, the airport must allow the lessee to produce proof of aircraft registration at any point prior to the final day of the lease.

Votes on Final Passage: