FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2029

C 125 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Authorizing changes to the VIN inspection program.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Hurst, Mitchell, Fisher, Hankins, Haigh, Anderson, Cooper, Ericksen, Ogden, Marine, Jarrett, Wood, Romero, Armstrong, Rockefeller, Mielke, Hatfield, Sump, Lovick, Simpson, Woods, Reardon, Morell, Skinner, Ahern, Jackley, Murray, Edmonds and Kenney.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

To receive a certificate of ownership, vehicles that are registered in another state or country, or rebuilt after surrender of the certificate of ownership to the Department of Licensing (DOL) due to the vehicle=s destruction or declaration as a total loss, must be inspected.  The Washington State Patrol (WSP) or another person authorized by the DOL performs this physical inspection and must verify the vehicle identification number.  The inspection fee for an out-of-state or out-of-country vehicle is $15 while the inspection fee for a rebuilt vehicle is $20.

Summary:

The requirement that the Washington State Patrol (WSP) conduct a physical inspection of vehicle identification numbers on out-of-state or out-of-country vehicles before they are registered in this state is removed.  For vehicles previously registered in another state or country, there is still a $15 fee, to be collected by the Department of Licensing (DOL).  The DOL is required to institute a computer system to enable a stolen vehicle check.  If during this check, the information on the vehicle indicates it was stolen, the DOL must immediately report that fact to the WSP and shall not register the car.

The physical inspection requirement for rebuilt vehicles is retained and will be completed by the WSP.  The inspection fee for rebuilt vehicles is raised from $20 to $50.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate470(Senate amended)

House8113(House concurred)

Effective:  July 1, 2001