SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5113

               As Passed Senate, March 11, 1997

Title:  An act relating to license fees.

Brief Description:  Refunding certain license fees.

Sponsors:  Senator Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/4/97, 2/18/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/11/97, 43-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prince, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Goings, Haugen, Heavey, Horn, Jacobsen, Morton, Oke, Patterson, Prentice, Rasmussen and Sellar.

Staff:  Jeff Doyle (786-7322)

Background:  Current law allows vehicle and vessel owners to obtain a refund of their license fees in four circumstances.  A refund can be obtained if: (1) the vehicle or vessel is destroyed before the registration period begins; (2) the vehicle or vessel is permanently removed from the state before the registration period begins; (3) the license tabs were purchased after the owner sells the vehicle or vessel; or (4) the vehicle or vessel is currently licensed in Washington but later licensed in another state, in which case the owner is allowed a pro rata refund for the unexpired months.

Summary of Bill:  Vehicle and vessel owners can obtain a refund on license tabs if the owner sells the vehicle or vessel before the beginning date of the registration period, so long as the owner returns the tabs new, unused, and never affixed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This is a common-sense change to the existing law that allows people to be refunded their fees if they haven=t used their tabs.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Oke, prime sponsor.