H-3547.1
HOUSE BILL 2612
State of Washington
65th Legislature
2018 Regular Session
By Representatives Condotta and Steele
Read first time 01/11/18. Referred to Committee on Transportation.
AN ACT Relating to tow truck operators; adding a new section to chapter 46.55 RCW; creating a new section; and repealing RCW 46.76.040, 46.79.060, and 46.80.060.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  (1) The legislature finds that efficiency and public safety is served by consolidating the multiple license plates currently required on the vehicles of registered tow truck operators. These registered tow truck operators currently have up to four separate license plates that are required to be displayed on the vehicle at all times. The operators have the highest training and qualifications of any towing operators in Washington state.
(2) The legislature further finds that a single unified license plate with separate endorsement tabs prevents confusion and allows for easy identification and review of tow trucks by law enforcement and the motoring public. The unified license plate also saves resources by reducing the need for license plate production and reduces fraud by limiting access to these commercial license plates.
(3) A unified license plate for registered tow truck operators serves the purposes of Washington residents, the motoring public, and law enforcement, and saves money as well.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 46.55 RCW to read as follows:
(1) If a tow truck is to conduct transporter business under chapter 46.76 RCW, the license plate that is required to be displayed under RCW 46.16A.160 must contain an indication that the vehicle is licensed to perform transporter services. The fee for an original transporter's license plate is twenty-five dollars. The plate may be obtained for a fee of two dollars for each set.
(2) If a tow truck is used for a hulk hauler or scrap processor business under chapter 46.79 RCW, the license plate that is required under RCW 46.16A.160 must contain an indication that the vehicle is licensed to perform hulk hauler or scrap processor purposes under the laws of the state of Washington. The fee for a hulk hauler or scrap processor business license plate is five dollars for the original plate and two dollars for each additional set.
(3) If a tow truck is used for a wrecker business under chapter 46.80 RCW, the license plate displayed that is required under RCW 46.16A.160 must contain an indication that the vehicle is licensed to perform wrecker services. The fee for a wrecker license plate is five dollars for the original plate and two dollars for each additional set.
(4) The indication of business purpose in this section must be clearly identifiable and may appear as either an imprinted symbol or tab on the license plate required to be displayed under RCW 46.16A.160, and must be one that is approved by the department. All other requirements concerning registration and display of plates as required under chapter 46.16A RCW may not conflict with this section.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
(1) RCW 46.76.040 (License and plate fees) and 1990 c 250 s 68 & 1961 c 12 s 46.76.040;
(2) RCW 46.79.060 (Special license plates—Fee) and 2010 c 8 s 9096 & 1971 ex.s. c 110 s 6; and
(3) RCW 46.80.060 (License plates—Fee—Display) and 1995 c 256 s 8 & 1961 c 12 s 46.80.060.
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