HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2580

                      As Passed House:

                      January 27, 2000

Title:  An act relating to certificates of ownership and registration.

Brief Description:  Authorizing changes to the VIN inspection program.

Sponsors:  Representatives Hurst, Fisher, Mitchell, Lovick, Dickerson, DeBolt, G. Chandler, Romero, Haigh, Ogden, Morris, McDonald, Hankins, Ericksen, Skinner, Fortunato, Scott, Edwards, Pflug, Woods and Cairnes.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation:  1/19/00, 1/24/00 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  1/27/00, 96-0.

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Provides licensed auto dealers with the option to check the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) numbers on vehicles they are going to sell that were purchased out of Washington and meet federal standards.  Vehicle dealers will continue to submit an inspection form and the $15 inspection fee.

$All rebuilds will continue to be inspected by the Washington State Patrol.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 25 members:  Representatives Fisher, Democratic Co-Chair; Mitchell, Republican Co-Chair; Cooper, Democratic 1st Vice Chair; Edwards, Democratic 2nd Vice Chair; Ericksen, Republican Vice Chair; Hankins, Republican Vice Chair; Buck; G. Chandler; DeBolt; Fortunato; Haigh; Hurst; Lovick; McDonald; Mielke; Morris; Ogden; Pflug; Radcliff; Romero; Schindler; Scott; Skinner; Wood and Woods.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Hatfield.

Staff:  Jerry Long (786-7306).

Background:

Prior to the issuance of a certificate of vehicle ownership, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) conducts a physical examination of the vehicle if (1) it was previously registered in any other state or country, or (2) if it has been rebuilt after surrender of the certificate of ownership to Department of Licensing (DOL) due to the vehicle's destruction or declaration as a total loss.  The inspection verifies that the vehicle identification number (VIN) is genuine and the VIN and license plates agree with the numbers shown on the foreign title and registration certificate.  The inspection must be made by a member of the WSP or other persons authorized by the department to conduct the inspections.

Summary of Bill:

As an option, motor vehicle dealers licensed under RCW 46.70, may perform inspections on vehicles (which will be sold by the dealer) that were previously registered in another state or country and have been certified as conforming to federal standards.  The dealer must have at least one full-time employee whose primary responsibilities are the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.  Dealers complete a one-page inspection form and submit the form, along with the existing $15 fee, to the DOL.  Rebuilt vehicles (totals, wrecks, destroyed vehicles, assembled, constructed, replica vehicles) or vehicles not conforming to federal standards, will continue to be inspected by the WSP.  The WSP auto theft detectives work in conjunction with the VIN program personnel.  The VIN program is fully staffed with full-time inspectors and specialists.  The WSP must provide a report to the Legislature by August 1, 2003, which includes the number of vehicles inspected by the WSP and motor vehicle dealers, and for each, the number of vehicles subsequently determined to be stolen.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 14, 2000.

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

Testimony For:  Auto dealers supported the bill due to the long lines at the existing VIN lanes and the volume of vehicles that the dealers take through the process.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (Support) Chief Annette Sandberg, Washington State Patrol; Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Auto Dealers; and Jon Creedon, Vancouver Ford.