FINAL BILL REPORT

                            SB 5693

                           C 60 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Authorizing exemptions from county vehicle license fees.

SPONSORS: Senators Vognild, Drew and Quigley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

BACKGROUND:

As part of the 1990 transportation revenue package, the Legislature authorized the counties to impose several different local option taxes to raise revenue for local transportation purposes.  One of the local option taxes is an addition to the state motor vehicle registration fee not to exceed $15.

The 1991 Legislature authorized a refund process that a county could initiate.  To qualify for a refund, an individual must be a registered owner residing within the boundaries of the county and (a) be 61 years or older at the time of the payment of the fee and had income of less than $18,000 for the previous year, or (b) have a physical disability.

The counties which have instituted the local option $15 fee have found the refund process cost-prohibitive and confusing to the public.  The public has been confused by having to pay the fee and then apply for a refund.

SUMMARY:

The refund process is changed to an exemption process.  The qualification that specified that an individual had to be 61 years or older, and make less than $18,000 a year, is changed to 61 years or older and making less than an amount of income prescribed by the county legislative authority.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    45   0

House     98   0

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993