HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5138

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Nelson and Bender)

Specifying inspection fees for vehicles previously registered in other states or countries.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (26)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Republican Member; Wood, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, G. Fisher, R. Fisher, Gallagher, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Jones, Kremen, R. Meyers, Nelson, Patrick, Prentice, Prince, Smith, D. Sommers, Todd, Walker and S. Wilson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Zellinsky.

House Staff:Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 4, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of the Washington State Patrol's (WSP's) Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Program is to ensure that vehicles being titled or licensed in the state of Washington are not stolen vehicles in which the VIN has been altered.

The owner of a vehicle previously licensed in another jurisdiction must submit to a VIN inspection prior to being licensed in this state.  If a vehicle's VIN has been altered, defaced or otherwise removed, the Patrol attaches a new VIN prior to titling or licensing.  When the vehicle is licensed, the Department of Licensing collects $10 for the VIN inspection and an additional $5 if a new VIN was assigned.  The $10 VIN inspection fee has not been increased since its inception in 1974.  The money is deposited in the Motor Vehicle Fund.  In calendar year 1988 the Patrol conducted approximately 260,000 such inspections.

Prior to titling or licensing, the Patrol also conducts VIN inspections for rebuilts (vehicles which have been totalled, the title cancelled and then rebuilt), assembled and homemade vehicles, and vehicles being converted from one class to another (example:  converting a pickup truck to a van).  No fee is currently being imposed for this type of inspection.  The Patrol estimates that approximately 16,000 such inspections are conducted annually for vehicles requiring a title or license.

SUMMARY:

A $20 VIN inspection fee is established for rebuilt, homemade or assembled vehicles, and vehicles being converted from one class to another for which a vehicle license or title is sought.  The current $10 VIN inspection fee for vehicles previously licensed in another state is increased to $15.  The money is deposited in the Motor Vehicle Fund.  No fee is imposed for a hulk inspection if a license or title is not requested.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Phil Peterson, Washington State Patrol.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Conducting a VIN inspection for rebuilts and homemade vehicles is time consuming.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.