WSR 02-04-001

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING


[ Filed January 23, 2002, 2:13 p.m. ]

     Date of Adoption: January 16, 2002.

     Purpose: Meet criteria supporting Governor Locke's Executive Order 97-02.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 308-93-250; and amending WAC 308-93-230, 308-93-270, and 308-93-280.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.16.381.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 01-23-050 on November 19, 2001.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 1, Amended 3, Repealed 1.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 1, Amended 3, Repealed 1;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
     Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

January 16, 2002

Fred Stephens

Director

OTS-5332.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-21-001, filed 10/8/98, effective 11/8/98)

WAC 308-93-230   Procedure for perfecting security interest.   (1) How is the security interest in a vessel perfected?

     A security interest in a vessel for which a certificate of ownership is required is perfected only by compliance with the requirements of RCW 46.12.095 as provided for vehicles and WAC 308-93-069 and 308-93-070 as provided for vessels.

     (2) What ((is the application fee)) fees are charged for adding, deleting or changing a secured party?

     The application fee is one dollar ((and the appropriate filing fee)). A filing fee is due for each transaction and an additional service fee is charged if a licensing subagent processes the transaction.

     (3) What is the secured party's obligation when the lien has been satisfied?

     ((The)) When a certificate of ownership is required, the secured party ((shall)) must comply with RCW 46.12.170 as provided for vehicles, ((except the application fee is one dollar,)) and WAC 308-93-069 and 308-93-070 as provided for vessels and pay the required fees.

     (4) What is the secured party's obligation when the lien has been satisfied due to the sale of the vessel?

     The secured party shall comply with RCW 46.12.101 as provided for vehicles and WAC 308-93-069 and 308-93-070 as provided for vessels.

     (5) Is the secured party liable for the acts of the vessel owner?

     No. The secured party is not liable or responsible for any act or contract made by the vessel owner or by any person representing the vessel owner.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 88.02.070 and 88.02.100. 98-21-001, § 308-93-230, filed 10/8/98, effective 11/8/98; 92-24-035, § 308-93-230, filed 11/25/92, effective 12/26/92. Statutory Authority: 1983 c 7 § 20 and 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 § 46. 83-23-076 (Order 736-DOL), § 308-93-230, filed 11/18/83.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-03-002, filed 1/7/99, effective 2/7/99)

WAC 308-93-270   Appeals to superior court from suspension, cancellation, or refusal of registration or certificate of ownership.   May I appeal the department's decision to refuse to issue a registration or certificate of ownership or suspend or cancel a registration or certificate of ownership?

     Yes. The suspension, cancellation, or refusal by the department of any registration or certificate of title provided for in chapter 88.02 RCW and chapter 250, Laws of 1984, or chapter 308-93 WAC ((shall)) will be conclusive unless the person whose registration or certificate is suspended, canceled, or refused appeals to the superior court of Thurston County, or to the superior court of the county of the person's residence, for the purpose of having the suspension, cancellation, or refusal of such registration or certificate set aside. Notice of appeal must be filed within ten days after receipt of the notice of suspension, cancellation, or refusal. Upon the filing of the notice of appeal the court ((shall)) must issue an order to the department to show cause why the registration should not be granted or reinstated, which order ((shall)) must be ((returnable)) returned not less than ten days after the date of service thereof upon the department. Service ((shall)) must be in the manner prescribed for service of summons and complaint in other civil actions.

     ((Upon)) At the hearing on the order to show cause, the court ((shall)) will hear evidence concerning matters with reference to the suspension, cancellation, or refusal of the registration or certificate and ((shall)) will enter judgment either affirming or setting aside such suspension, cancellation, or refusal.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 88.02.070 and 88.02.100. 99-03-002, § 308-93-270, filed 1/7/99, effective 2/7/99; 84-13-086 (Order TL-RG-2), § 308-93-270, filed 6/21/84. Statutory Authority: 1983 c 7 § 20 and 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 § 46. 83-23-076 (Order 736-DOL), § 308-93-270, filed 11/18/83.]


NEW SECTION
WAC 308-93-275   Abandoned vessels.   What are the options for disposing of an abandoned vessel?

     An abandoned vessel may be disposed of in several ways, depending upon where it is abandoned.

     (1) Vessel abandoned adrift.

     The watercraft adrift laws (chapter 79A.60 RCW) provide details for disposing of vessels abandoned on water.

     (a) In addition to other documents required by law or rule, the following documents are required when applying for a certificate of ownership to a vessel that was abandoned adrift.

     (i) A copy of the court order authorizing the sale of the abandoned vessel;

     (ii) A bill of sale from the entity selling the vessel; and

     (iii) A properly completed and notarized/certified vessel data form unless a completed vessel title application is submitted in lieu of the vessel data form.

     (2) Vessel abandoned on land.

     (a) A vessel abandoned on land may be disposed of by one of the following:

     (i) The lost and found property laws in chapter 63.21 RCW; or

     (ii) The unclaimed property in hands of city police (chapter 63.32 RCW); or

     (iii) Unclaimed property in the hands of Washington state patrol (chapter 63.35 RCW); or

     (iv) Unclaimed property in hands of sheriff (chapter 63.40 RCW).

     (b) Documents needed to apply for a certificate of ownership for vessel that was abandoned on a highway of this state and towed by a registered tow truck operator. Vessels that are:

     (i) Registered with the department; and

     (ii) Found abandoned on a highway of this state; and

     (iii) Towed by a registered tow truck operator

are subject to the requirements of the abandoned vehicle laws (chapter 46.55 RCW). The vessel may be sold using an abandoned vehicle report as proved in chapter 46.55 RCW. A properly completed and notarized/certified vessel data form is required upon application for certificate of ownership unless a completed vessel title application is submitted in lieu of the vessel data form.

     (3) Vessel considered abandoned at a moorage facility.

     A vessel moored in a moorage facility is considered abandoned when the vessel owner fails to pay the port charges owed.

     Publicly owned moorage facilities attempting to dispose of a vessel for failure of the owner to pay port charges must follow the requirements of RCW 53.08.320. Privately owned moorage facilities attempting to dispose of a vessel for failure of the owner to pay port charges must follow the requirements of RCW 88.26.020.

[]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-03-002, filed 1/7/99, effective 2/7/99)

WAC 308-93-280   Hull identification numbers.   (1) Is a hull identification number required to use a vessel on the waters of Washington state?

     Yes. A hull identification number is required on any vessel that is used on the waters of this state unless application for hull identification number has been made and issuance of the hull identification number is pending.

     (2) ((When would a hull identification number (HIN) need to be assigned by the department?

     The HIN needs to be assigned at the time of application through the vehicle field system whenever the HIN has been altered, removed, obliterated, defaced, omitted, or is otherwise absent.

     (3) How is the department assigned HIN affixed to the vessel?

     (a) The number shall be clearly imprinted or otherwise permanently affixed above the waterline in such a way that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious or evident; and

     (b) The number shall be at least one quarter of an inch in height and shall be placed on:

     (i) The outboard starboard side of the transom; or

     (ii) The outermost starboard side at the end of the hull that bears the rudder or other steering mechanism, if there is no transom.

     (4) Can the previous HIN be reaffixed?

     At the department's discretion, it may authorize the vessel owner to reaffix the HIN.

     (5))) Is it unlawful to destroy, remove, alter, cover or deface the HIN?

     Yes. It is unlawful for a person, firm, association or corporation to destroy, remove, alter, cover or deface a HIN.

     (3) When is the hull identification number (HIN) assigned by the department?

     If a HIN is not affixed during manufacture, a HIN is assigned by the vehicle field system at the time of application for registration, whenever the HIN has been:

     (a) Altered;

     (b) Removed;

     (c) Obliterated;

     (d) Defaced;

     (e) Omitted; or

     (f) Is otherwise absent.

     If the model year of the vessel is a 1985 or newer, then the HIN will be verified via the manufacturer's statement of origin (MSO).

     (4) How is the department assigned HIN affixed to the vessel?

     (a) The HIN must be clearly imprinted or otherwise permanently affixed above the waterline in such a way that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious or evident; and

     (b) The HIN must be at least one quarter of an inch in height and shall be placed on:

     (i) The outboard starboard side of the transom; or

     (ii) The outermost starboard side at the end of the hull that bears the rudder of other steering mechanism, if there is no transom.

     (5) Can the previous HIN be reaffixed?

     The department may authorize the vessel owner to reaffix the HIN.

     (6) If a HIN is missing on a vessel that is abandoned on or along a public highway, may the vessel be processed through the abandoned vehicle process?

     Yes((. The department will assign a HIN at the time the purchaser applies for certificate of ownership.

     (6) Is it unlawful to destroy, remove, alter, cover or deface the HIN?

     Yes. It is unlawful for a person, firm, association or corporation to destroy, remove, alter, cover or deface a HIN.)), if a certificate of ownership/registration has been issued. If not, then vessels abandoned on or along the public highways may not be processed through the abandoned vehicle statute (chapter 46.55 RCW). Such vessels are considered personal property and must be disposed of in accordance with chapters 63.32, 63.35 and 63.40 RCW.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 88.02.070 and 88.02.100. 99-03-002, § 308-93-280, filed 1/7/99, effective 2/7/99. Statutory Authority: 1983 c 7 § 20 and 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 § 46. 83-23-076 (Order 736-DOL), § 308-93-280, filed 11/18/83.]


REPEALER

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 308-93-250 Secured party not liable for acts of vessel owner.

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office