0H-3573

AN ACT Relating to certificates of ownership and registration; 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 the Washington state patrol's vehicle identification number inspection program, in conjunction with other law enforcement automobile theft detection and deterrence efforts, protects the buyers and sellers of motor vehicles in Washington and, therefore, it is in the best interest of the citizens of Washington to continue the program. The legislature further finds that enhancing the Washington state patrol's efforts regarding automobile theft detection by using automobile theft detectives, working in conjunction with a fully staffed vehicle identification number inspection program, where the personnel are full-time, permanent vehicle identification number inspectors and specialists, will more effectively combat automobile theft throughout the state.

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, under the circumstances set forth in this section, a physical examination of the vehicle or of any class of vehicles, or either.

(a) 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.

(b) The physical inspection performed by the Washington state patrol 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.

(c) Motor vehicle dealers licensed under chapter 46.70 RCW may perform physical inspections on vehicles previously registered in another state or country that will be sold by the dealer. Dealers performing VIN inspections must have at least one full-time employee whose primary responsibility is the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, to perform the VIN inspections on behalf of the vehicle dealership. Dealers must complete a one-page vehicle identification number inspection form designed and provided by the department and submit a fifteen-dollar fee for titling purposes to the department. The right to self-inspection does not include vehicles that are totaled, assembled, constructed, replica vehicles, vehicles that appear to have been wrecked or destroyed, or vehicles imported from another country and that have not been certified as conforming to federal standards. Self-inspection by dealers is an option, and does not preclude licensed dealers from using either in whole or in part services provided by the Washington state patrol vehicle identification number inspection unit. All other vehicle identification number inspections will continue to be conducted at the Washington state patrol vehicle identification number inspection locations.

(4) 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.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The Washington state patrol must provide a report to the legislature by August 1, 2003, that includes:

(1) The number of vehicles inspected at the Washington state patrol vehicle identification number facilities subsequently determined to be stolen vehicles;

(2) The number of vehicles inspected by Washington motor vehicle dealers subsequently determined to be stolen vehicles; and

(3) A comparative analysis of those vehicles subsequently determined to be stolen for the purpose of identifying any deficiencies in the motor vehicle dealer self-inspection program.