SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 585

BYHouse Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Nutley, Peery, Sutherland, Cooper, L. Smith, Walk and P. King) 

Clarifying residency and nonresidency status for vehicle registration purposes.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 26, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass.

     Signed by Senators Peterson, Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bender, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Nelson, Patterson, Sellar, Smitherman, West.

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

                March 27, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 26, 1987

BACKGROUND:

For the purposes of vehicle registration residency status may be established in a variety of ways.  A person is a resident if he or she 1) owns a licensable vehicle which is present within the state for six months of any continuous twelve-month period; 2) resides within the state for more than six months in any continuous twelve months; 3) registers to vote in the state; or 4) receives benefits under one of the Washington public assistance programs.  Residency of the state can also be established when obtaining a state license or resident state tuition.

New residents of the state are directed to register vehicles with the Department of Licensing.

Under the authority for reciprocity, provisions have been enacted to permit nonresident persons to operate vehicles licensed in other jurisdictions for a period of 180 days.  A nonresident person who is employed in Washington is permitted to operate a vehicle licensed outside the state for more than 180 days.  There is also a provision which permits the operation of a vehicle licensed in another jurisdiction when used for business purposes and when the vehicle is not owned or operated by a business or branch office within Washington.

SUMMARY:

The term resident is defined as a person who manifests an intent to live or be located within the state on more than a temporary basis as evidenced by registering to vote, receiving benefits from a Washington public assistance program, obtaining a state license, paying resident rate tuition fees, or other evidence which indicates an intent to establish permanent residency within the state.  A "Washington assistance program", as evidence of residency, means that more than 50 percent of the cost of benefits and administration of the program is provided from state funds.

New residents of the state have 30 days from the date of residency in the state to acquire Washington registration for their vehicle.

Persons who are not residents and not employed in the state may operate a vehicle, properly licensed in another jurisdiction, no longer than six months in any continuous twelve-month period.  Persons who are not residents of the state but are employed in the state may operate vehicles of 12,000 pounds gross weight or less currently licensed in another jurisdiction, provided that no permanent or temporary residency is maintained in the state for a period more than six months in any continuous twelve-month period.

Vehicles of 12,000 pounds gross weight or less which are properly licensed in another jurisdiction may be operated within the state without registration in Washington when the vehicle is registered in the licensing jurisdiction.

Purchasers of vehicles having foreign license plates must remove and destroy the vehicle's license plates unless required to return the plates to the owner, the jurisdiction issuing the plates, or for other reasons deemed appropriate by the Department of Licensing.

License plate frames are permitted to be used on vehicles registered and licensed in the state provided they do not obscure any identifying number, letter or license tab and further provided that the frame, holder or other material which may be used does not make the plates illegible.

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   Sandra Brooks, Department of Licensing