HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2629

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to junk vehicles.

Brief Description:  Revising the definition of junk vehicle.

Sponsors:  Representatives R. Fisher, Appelwick, Campbell, Sommers, Edmondson and Dorn.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 1, 1994, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 22 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Jones, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Minority Member; Mielke, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Brough; Brumsickle; Cothern; Eide; Finkbeiner; Heavey; Horn; Johanson; J. Kohl; R. Meyers; Orr; Patterson; Romero; Sheldon; Wood and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 5 members:  Representatives Forner; Fuhrman; Hansen; Quall and Shin.

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786-7307).

Background:  In order for a vehicle to meet the statutory definition of a "junk vehicle," it must meet five requirements.  Those requirements include that the vehicle:  (1) is three years old or older; (2) is extensively damaged; (3) is apparently inoperable; (4) is without a valid, current registration plate; and (5) has an approximate fair market value equal only to the approximate value of the scrap in it.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The current statute that requires a vehicle to meet all five criteria in order to be  certified as a junk vehicle is changed.  A vehicle must meet three of the four criteria established in this bill.

In addition, a city is authorized to provide for payment to tow truck operators or wreckers for the removal of vehicles as part of a community revitalization plan.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  A vehicle must meet three out of the four criteria established in this bill in order to certified as a junk vehicle.  Payment is authorized to tow truck operators and wreckers for removal of junk vehicles as part of a community revitalization plan.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill will allow for disposal of truly junk vehicles.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Gary Pedersen, City of Tacoma; Darlena Gray, Hilltop Action Coalition; Carl Turner, City of Tacoma; Jack Pleasant, Hilltop citizen; Stuart Halsan, Washington Tow Truck Association; and Mike Torbert, Able Auto Wrecking.