FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6603

                          C 198 L 98

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Excepting certain vessels from registration.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Horn, Spanel, Oke and Wood).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation Policy & Budget

Background:  Vessels owned by nonresidents, used for personal use and enjoyment, and validly registered in another state or country are allowed to remain in Washington for no more than six months before being required to be registered with the state of Washington.  Vessels used in nontransitory business are excluded from this exemption.

Summary:  To receive the current six-month exemption from registration, vessels must have been issued a valid registration number under federal law or by an approved issuing authority of the state of principal operation.  The requirement that vessels be registered in another country is eliminated.  International vessels must pay a one-time $25 permit fee.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 46 0

House     97 0 (House amended)

Senate    47 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  March 27, 1998