HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5443

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators von Reichbauer, Bender, Patterson, DeJarnatt, Conner and Hansen; by request of Legislative Transportation Committee)

Making various policy changes in vehicle laws.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (22)

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

House Staff:Louise Bray (786-7322)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

At the request of the Legislative Transportation Committee, the Department of Licensing reviewed its statutes relating to vehicles and drivers and recommended changes to statutes that are obsolete or unnecessary for the efficient and cost-effective operation of the department.

SUMMARY:

Changes are made to the Department of Licensing statutes dealing with mobile homes, vehicle dealers, motorcycle instruction permits, motor vehicle wreckers, and driver schools.

New sections are added dealing with vehicle dealer consignment contracts and defining new types of vehicles.

The definition of "mobile home" is expanded and new definitions for "park trailer" and "travel trailer" are added.  Changes are made concerning the required signatories to transfer title to a mobile home.

Temporary permits for vehicle dealers are limited to six permits per year.  Consignors and listing sellers may proceed against a vehicle dealer bond; wholesale dealers are required to be bonded; the definitions of wholesale dealer and retail dealer are clarified; and vehicle dealers must disclose that a vehicle has been rebuilt from a total loss, if the dealer knew that fact.  Listing sellers, consignees and motor vehicle dealer consignors cannot go against motor vehicle dealers surety bonds.

The requirement drivers notify the Department of address changes on a form provided by the Department is modified.

Persons who supervise motorcycle operators operating with an instruction permit must have five years of riding experience.

The department is authorized to issue criminal citations for enforcement of the Curbstoner Program.

Driving school instructors must requalify every five years.  The "place of business" for a driving school is clarified.

The department is authorized to sell lists of motor vehicle registrations to businesses for commercial purposes.

Motor vehicle wreckers may lose their license if convicted of a crime related to the business of a motor vehicle wrecker within the last 10 years or if a judgment has been entered against the licensee within the last five years.

A committee is formed to study drivers license issuance.