SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2259

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Transportation, April 14, 1999

Title:  An act relating to issuing drivers= licenses.

Brief Description:  Extending the term of drivers= licenses.

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

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  4/13/99, 4/14/99 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Goings, Vice Chair; Benton, Costa, Eide, Finkbeiner, Horn, Jacobsen, Johnson, Morton, Oke, Patterson, Prentice, Sellar, Sheahan, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Staff:  Paul Neal (786-7315)

Background:  Currently, Washington State drivers= licenses, commercial drivers= licenses, and drivers= licenses containing motorcycle endorsements are valid for four years.  The fee for both the initial and renewal drivers= 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 1978.  The revenue generated from the current fee is insufficient to cover the cost of all the functions of the drivers= license program.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The annual fee for drivers= licenses is increased by $1.50 per year.  The fee for both the initial and renewal driver=s license is $20 (or $5 per year).  An additional fee, not to exceed $16 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 $8 (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 $20 (or $5 per year).

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amended bill no longer provides for a six-year license but retains the current four-year terms.  The fee increases are at the same rate per year as the original bill.  The total cost of a license or renewal is lower than in the original bill due to the four-year term.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on March 3, 1999.

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

Testimony For:  Moving to a six-year license raises the potential for safety issues due to less frequent testing of drivers.  The striker is preferable since it retains the current four-year license term.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Mel Sorensen, National Association of Independent Insurers (pro).