[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to enhancing auto theft investigations; amending RCW 46.12.040 and 46.12.060; reenacting and amending RCW 46.12.030; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that there is a compelling need to effectively combat the growing auto theft problems in the state of Washington. Even if vehicle theft does not have a direct impact on all citizens, it touches every law abiding citizen through increased insurance rates and market costs. Law enforcement officers in Washington have achieved high rates of stolen vehicle recovery by proactive patrol and investigation of these crimes. Therefore, the legislature finds that it is paramount for the safety and well-being of the citizens of Washington to demonstrate a concerted effort to resolve cases of auto theft.

Due to the complexity of the investigations and the coordination required between law enforcement agencies, it is the intent of the legislature to amend current policy and direct resources to enhance auto theft investigations.

Sec. 2. RCW 46.12.030 and 1995 c 274 s 1 and 1995 c 256 s 23 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

The application for ((~~[a]~~)) a certificate of ownership shall be upon a form furnished or approved by the department and shall contain:

(1) A full description of the vehicle, which shall contain the proper vehicle identification number, the number of miles indicated on the odometer at the time of delivery of the vehicle, and any distinguishing marks of identification;

(2) The name and address of the person who is to be the registered owner of the vehicle and, if the vehicle is subject to a security interest, the name and address of the secured party;

(3) Such other information as the department may require. The department may in any instance, in addition to the information required on the application, require additional information and a physical examination of the vehicle or of any class of vehicles, or either. A physical examination of the vehicle is mandatory if ((~~it previously was registered in any other state or country or if~~)) it has been rebuilt after surrender of the certificate of ownership to the department under RCW 46.12.070 due to the vehicle's destruction or declaration as a total loss. The inspection must verify that the vehicle identification number is genuine and agrees with the number shown on the ((~~foreign~~)) title and registration certificate. ((If the vehicle is from a jurisdiction that does not issue titles, the inspection must verify that the vehicle identification number is genuine and agrees with the number shown on the registration certificate. The inspection must also confirm that the license plates on the vehicle are those assigned to the vehicle by the jurisdiction in which the vehicle was previously licensed.)) The inspection must be made by a member of the Washington state patrol or other person authorized by the department to make such inspections.

The application shall be subscribed by the registered owner and be sworn to by that applicant in the manner described by RCW 9A.72.085. The department shall retain the application in either the original, computer, or photostatic form.

Sec. 3. RCW 46.12.040 and 1990 c 238 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The application accompanied by a draft, money order, certified bank check, or cash for one dollar and twenty-five cents, together with the last preceding certificates or other satisfactory evidence of ownership, shall be forwarded to the director.

The fee shall be in addition to any other fee for the license registration of the vehicle. The certificate of ownership shall not be required to be renewed annually, or at any other time, except as by law provided.

In addition to the application fee and any other fee for the license registration of a vehicle, there shall be collected from the applicant an inspection fee whenever a physical examination of the vehicle is required as a part of the vehicle licensing or titling process.

((For vehicles previously registered in any other state or country, the inspection fee shall be fifteen dollars and shall be deposited in the motor vehicle fund. For all other vehicles requiring a physical examination,)) The inspection fee shall be twenty dollars and shall be deposited in the ((~~motor vehicle fund~~)) state patrol highway account.

Sec. 4. RCW 46.12.060 and 1975 c 25 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:

Before the department shall issue a certificate of ownership, or reissue such a certificate, covering any vehicle, the identification number of which has been altered, removed, obliterated, defaced, omitted, or is otherwise absent, the registered owner of the vehicle shall file an application with the department, accompanied by a fee of five dollars, upon a form provided, and containing such facts and information as shall be required by the department for the assignment of a special number for such vehicle. Upon receipt of such application, the department, if satisfied the applicant is entitled to the assignment of an identification number, shall designate a special identification number for such vehicle, which shall be noted upon the application therefor, and likewise upon a suitable record of the authorization of the use thereof, to be kept by the department. This assigned identification number shall be placed or stamped in a conspicuous position upon the vehicle in such manner and form as may be prescribed by the department. Upon receipt by the department of ((a certificate by an officer of the Washington state patrol, or other person authorized by the department, that the vehicle has been inspected and that the identification number or the special number plate, has been stamped or securely attached in a conspicuous position upon the vehicle, accompanied by)) an application for a certificate of ownership or application for reissue of such certificate and the required fee therefor, the department shall use such number as the numerical or alpha-numerical identification marks for the vehicle in any certificate of license registration or certificate of ownership that may thereafter be issued therefor.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The Washington state patrol shall prepare a report for submission to the office of financial management and the legislature by January 1, 2001, on the status of the revised vehicle identification number inspection and auto theft investigations program.