HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5568

As Reported by House Committee On:

Transportation

Title:  An act relating to business location requirements for registered tow truck operators.

Brief Description:  Clarifying business location requirements for tow truck operators.

Sponsors:  Senators Prentice and Benton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation:  3/4/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

$Business license locations for registered tow truck operators are defined.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 24 members: Representatives Fisher, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Lovick, Vice Chair; Mitchell, Ranking Minority Member; Ericksen, Haigh, Hankins, Hatfield, Holmquist, Jackley, Jarrett, Mielke, Morell, Murray, Ogden, Reardon, Rockefeller, Romero, Schindler, Simpson, Skinner, Sullivan, Wood and Woods.

Staff:  Penny Nerup (786‑7335).

Background:

The business location of a registered tow truck operator is the location in which its files are kept.  Registered tow truck operators may have multiple business locations, each of which are required to have a separate registration.

Summary of Bill:

The business location of a registered tow truck operator serves as its business location for all purposes including for business licensure.  Registered tow truck operators are exempt from licensing in a political subdivision based solely upon an operator picking up or delivering a towed vehicle within the political subdivision.

However, a registered tow truck operator may be required to have a business license:  1) in a jurisdiction in which the operator has a fixed place of business, 2) in a jurisdiction in which the operator has a contract with police agencies to perform law enforcement impounds, or 3) in a jurisdiction in which the operator has contracts with businesses to perform private impounds.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill solves the problems that occurred in prior bills.  It keeps tow truck operators from having to get a business license just because they pick up a tow in a jurisdiction, but provides for exceptions where there is a contract.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Stu Halsan, Washington Tow Truck Association.