SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1480

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Transportation, March 23, 2015

Title: An act relating to the creation of intermittent-use trailer license plates.

Brief Description: Creating intermittent-use trailer license plates.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Holy, Riccelli, Orcutt, Haler, Shea, Johnson, Clibborn, Ormsby, Condotta, Tharinger and McCaslin).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/09/15, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/18/15, 3/23/15 [DP].

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators King, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Hobbs, Ranking Minority Member; Liias, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cleveland, Habib, Jayapal, Miloscia, Pedersen and Sheldon.

Staff: Amanda Cecil (786-7429)

Background: There are different types of trailers registered in the state of Washington that are subject to various fees based on the weight and how they are used. Generally all vehicles that are operated on public highways, including trailers, are subject to vehicle registration, annual registration renewal, as well as the various taxes and fees due at registration and registration renewal.

In addition to other taxes and fees that are due annually, a private-use 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 due annually, trailers that are over 2000 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 $0.93 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.

Summary of Bill: The registered owner of a trailer that has a scale weight of 2000 pounds or less that is used only for intermittent personal use may apply for a permanent license plate and registration. Intermittent personal use is not general or daily, but seasonal or sporadic, and not more than once per week on average.

There is a one-time fee for a permanent license plate and registration on an intermittent-use trailer of $187.50 which is distributed as follows: $20.35 must be deposited in the State Patrol Highway Account, $2.02 is deposited in the Puget Sound Ferry Operations Account, and the remainder is deposited to the Motor Vehicle Fund. Trailers registered as intermittent-use trailers are not subject to annual registration renewal.

The owner of an intermittent-use trailer may display a license plate that was issued in the year that the trailer was manufactured to be displayed in lieu of a standard issue license plate. A personalized license plate or a special license plate for persons with disabilities may not be issued for use on an intermittent-use trailer.

The permanent license plate and registration on an intermittent-use trailer expires when ownership of the vehicle changes, when the vehicle is permanently removed from the state, or is otherwise disposed of. The permanent plate must be removed from the trailer prior to conveyance. An intermittent-use license plate may be transferred from one intermittent-use trailer to another with the initial registration fee of $187.50 and $10 for the license plate transfer fee for transferring the license plate to the new intermittent-use trailer.

A violation of the provisions related to intermittent-use trailers is subject to a traffic infraction of up to $150 including all applicable assessments and fees.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2016.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This started as a simple idea to make a permanent license plate for seasonal use trailers so that they do not have to update their license every year. The cost represents about ten years of licensing fees that are paid up front.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Holy, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed in to Testify But Not Testifying: No one.