H-4680 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL NO. 1961
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 50th Legislature 1988 Regular Session
By Representatives Schoon and Silver
Read first time 2/3/88 and referred to Committee on Transportation.
AN ACT Relating to motor vehicle license numbers; amending RCW 46.16.290; adding a new section to chapter 46.16 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Any person who sells or transfers a motor vehicle for which the person had, at the time of sale or transfer, a current and proper vehicle license may apply to retain the vehicle license plate number issued for that vehicle and have the number apply to a vehicle newly acquired by the person as a replacement of the former vehicle. The department shall approve the application unless the applicant fails to conform to this section and the rules adopted by the department.
(2) The department shall adopt rules to implement this section. Among other things, the rules may restrict the time period or periods, as well as circumstances, when an application for retention of a license plate number may be filed. The department shall prescribe a fee for the retention of a license plate number and shall set the fee at a level sufficient to replace funds spent by the department in processing applications. In addition, the department shall add a temporary surcharge designed to recoup the cost of establishing the retention program within a period not longer than six years.
(3) All fees and surcharges received under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the motor vehicle fund.
(4) Special license plates issued under other sections of this chapter for "horseless carriage" licenses, vehicles which are collector items, and personalized license plates are excluded from this section and may only be retained if, and as, authorized under other provisions of this chapter.
Sec. 2. Section 46.16.290, chapter 12, Laws of 1961 as last amended by section 18, chapter 18, Laws of 1986 and RCW 46.16.290 are each amended to read as follows:
In any case of a valid sale or transfer of the ownership of any vehicle, the right to the certificates properly transferable therewith, except as provided in RCW 46.16.280, and to the vehicle license plates, except as otherwise expressly provided by law, passes to the purchaser or transferee. It is unlawful for the holder of such certificates, except as provided in RCW 46.16.280, or vehicle license plates to fail, neglect, or refuse to endorse the certificates and deliver the vehicle license plates to the purchaser or transferee. If the sale or transfer is of a vehicle licensed by the state or any county, city, town, school district, or other political subdivision entitled to exemption as provided by law, or, if the vehicle is licensed with personalized plates, amateur radio operator plates, medal of honor plates, disabled person plates, disabled veteran plates, or prisoner of war plates, the vehicle license plates therefor shall be retained and may be displayed upon a vehicle obtained in replacement of the vehicle so sold or transferred.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Section 1 of this act shall take effect on July 1, 1988, and shall be limited to registered owners residing within King county. Section 1 of this act shall expire on July 1, 1989.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The department of licensing, prior to the convening of the 1990 regular session of the legislature, shall submit a report to the legislature summarizing its experience with the license plate number retention program under section 1 of this act and containing recommendations for continuing the program or a similar program.