FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 2259

                         C 308 L 99

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Extending the term of drivers' licenses.

Sponsors:  Representatives Murray, Hankins, Ogden, K. Schmidt, Fisher, Radcliff, Hatfield and Hurst.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

Washington State driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, and driver's licenses containing motorcycle endorsements are valid for four years.  The fee for both the initial and renewal driver's license is $14 (or $3.50 per year).  An additional fee, not to exceed $12 for each class (or $3 per year), is required for the issuance or renewal of a commercial driver's license.  Finally, an additional fee for the issuance of an initial or new category motorcycle endorsement is $6 (or $1.50 per year), and the subsequent renewal endorsement fee is $14 (or $3.50 per year).

The $3.50 yearly fee for the driver's license was last increased in 1975.  The revenue generated from the current fee is insufficient to cover the cost of all the functions of the driver's license program.

Summary:

Washington driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, and driver's licenses containing motorcycle endorsements are valid for five years. The annual fee for driver's licenses is increased by $1.50 per year.  The fee for both the initial and renewal driver's license is $25 (or $5 per year).  An additional fee, not to exceed $20 for each class (or $4 per year), is required for the issuance or renewal of a commercial driver's license.  An additional fee, not to exceed $10 (or $2 per year), is required for the issuance of an initial or new category motorcycle endorsement, and the subsequent renewal endorsement fee is not to exceed $25 (or $5 per year).

During the period from July 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006, the Department of Licensing (DOL), in order to evenly distribute the yearly renewal rate of licensed drivers, may issue or renew a driver's license for a period other than five years.  As well, the DOL may extend by mail a license that has already been issued, in which case, the fee is $5 for each year that the license is issued, renewed, or extended.

Votes on Final Passage:

     House  87 9

Senate 35 12 (Senate amended)

House(House refused to concur)

Senate(Senate receded)

Senate3412(Senate amended)

House915(House concurred)

Effective:July 25, 1999

July 1, 2000 (Sections 1-5)