[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to vehicle license plate and inspection fees for disabled veterans; and amending RCW 73.04.110 and 70.120.170.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 73.04.110 and 1987 c 98 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any person who is a veteran as defined in RCW 41.04.005 who submits to the department of licensing satisfactory proof of a service-connected disability rating from the veterans administration or the military service from which the veteran was discharged and:

((~~(1)~~)) (a) Has lost the use of both hands or one foot;

((~~(2)~~)) (b) Was captured and incarcerated for more than twenty-nine days by an enemy of the United States during a period of war with the United States; or

((~~(3)~~)) (c) Has become blind in both eyes as the result of military service; ((or

(4) Is rated by the veterans administration or the military service from which the veteran was discharged and is receiving service-connected compensation at the one hundred percent rate that is expected to exist for more than one year;))

is entitled to regular or special license plates issued by the department of licensing described in subsection (3) of this section.

(2) Any person who has served as a member in the armed forces of the United States who:

(a) Received an honorable discharge or received a discharge for physical reasons with an honorable record;

(b) Submits to the department of licensing satisfactory proof of a service-connected disability rating from the veterans' administration or the military service from which the veteran was discharged; and

(c) Is receiving service-connected compensation at the one hundred percent rate that is expected to exist for more than one year;

is entitled to regular or special license plates issued by the department of licensing described in subsection (3) of this section.

(3) The special license plates authorized by this section shall bear distinguishing marks, letters, or numerals indicating that the motor vehicle is owned by a disabled veteran or former prisoner of war. This license shall be issued annually for one personal use vehicle without payment of any license fees or excise tax thereon. Whenever any person who has been issued license plates under the provisions of this section applies to the department for transfer of the plates to a subsequently acquired motor vehicle, a transfer fee of five dollars shall be charged in addition to all other appropriate fees. The department may periodically verify the one hundred percent rate as provided in subsection ((~~(4)~~)) (2)(c) of this section.

Any person who has been issued free motor vehicle license plates under this section prior to July 1, 1983, shall continue to be eligible for the annual free license plates.

For the purposes of this section, "blind" means the definition of "blind" used by the state of Washington in determining eligibility for financial assistance to the blind under Title 74 RCW.

Any unauthorized use of a special plate is a gross misdemeanor.

Sec. 2. RCW 70.120.170 and 1998 c 342 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department shall administer a system for emission inspections of all motor vehicles, except those described in RCW 46.16.015(2), that are registered within the boundaries of each emission contributing area. Under such system a motor vehicle shall be inspected biennially except where an annual program would be required to meet federal law and prevent federal sanctions. In addition, motor vehicles shall be inspected at each change of registered owner of a licensed vehicle as provided under RCW 46.16.015.

(2) The director shall:

(a) Adopt procedures for conducting emission inspections of motor vehicles. The inspections may include idle and high revolution per minute emission tests. The emission test for diesel vehicles shall consist solely of a smoke opacity test.

(b) Adopt criteria for calibrating emission testing equipment. Electronic equipment used to test for emissions standards provided for in this chapter shall be properly calibrated. The department shall examine frequently the calibration of the emission testing equipment used at the stations.

(c) Authorize, through contracts, the establishment and operation of inspection stations for conducting vehicle emission inspections authorized in this chapter. No person contracted to inspect motor vehicles may perform for compensation repairs on any vehicles. No public body may establish or operate contracted inspection stations. Any contracts must be let in accordance with the procedures established for competitive bids in chapter 43.19 RCW.

(3) Subsection (2)(c) of this section does not apply to volunteer motor vehicle inspections under RCW 70.120.020(1) if the inspections are conducted for the following purposes:

(a) Auditing;

(b) Contractor evaluation;

(d) Public information and education.

(4)(a) The director shall establish by rule the fee to be charged for emission inspections. The inspection fee shall be a standard fee applicable state-wide or throughout an emission contributing area and shall be no greater than fifteen dollars. Surplus moneys collected from fees over the amount due the contractor shall be paid to the state and deposited in the general fund. Fees shall be set at the minimum whole dollar amount required to (i) compensate the contractor or inspection facility owner, and (ii) offset the general fund appropriation to the department to cover the administrative costs of the motor vehicle emission inspection program.

(b) Before each inspection, a person whose motor vehicle is to be inspected shall pay to the inspection station the fee established under this section except as provided in (c) of this subsection. The person whose motor vehicle is inspected shall receive the results of the inspection. If the inspected vehicle complies with the standards established by the director, the person shall receive a dated certificate of compliance. If the inspected vehicle does not comply with those standards, one reinspection of the vehicle shall be afforded without charge.

(c) The inspection fee is waived for no more than one vehicle owned by any person who has served as a member in the armed forces of the United States who:

(i) Received an honorable discharge or received a discharge for physical reasons with an honorable record;

(ii) Submits satisfactory proof to the department of a service-connected disability rating from the veterans' administration or the military service from which the veteran was discharged; and

(iii) Is receiving service-connected compensation at the one hundred percent rate that is expected to exist for more than one year.

(5) All units of local government and agencies of the state with motor vehicles garaged or regularly operated in an emissions contributing area shall test the emissions of those vehicles annually to ensure that the vehicle's emissions comply with the emission standards established by the director. All state agencies outside of emission contributing areas with more than twenty motor vehicles housed at a single facility or contiguous facilities shall test the emissions of those vehicles annually to ensure that the vehicles' emissions comply with standards established by the director. A report of the results of the tests shall be submitted to the department.