FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2286

C 246 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Correcting language regarding certificates of ownership for stolen vehicles.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Fisher, Hatfield, Mitchell and Haigh; by request of Department of Licensing.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

When a person applies to register a vehicle brought in from out of state, the Department of Licensing (DOL) is required to do a stolen vehicle search of out‑of‑state vehicles as part of the titling process.  If the stolen vehicle search produces results indicating the vehicle was flagged as reported stolen, the department is required to report this information to the Washington State Patrol (WSP) for further investigation.

During this investigative process, the DOL is prohibited from registering the vehicle.  This means the applicant may not legally drive the vehicle until the WSP confirms that the vehicle is not stolen.  Once the WSP does its investigation and confirms that the vehicle is not stolen, the WSP will then issue documentation indicating this fact.  The applicant must submit this documentation to the DOL in order to register his or her vehicle and subsequently obtain a certificate of ownership.

Summary:

In conducting a stolen vehicle search of out‑of‑state vehicles, if a vehicle is flagged as reported stolen, the DOL is prohibited from issuing a certificate of ownership.  (However, in order to allow an applicant the ability to legally drive a vehicle which has been flagged as reported stolen, the DOL is allowed to register the vehicle while the WSP conducts its investigation.)

Once the WSP confirms that a vehicle under investigation is not stolen, or if the out‑of‑state search indicates the vehicle is not stolen, the DOL is authorized to issue a certificate of ownership.

Votes on Final Passage:

House970

Senate460

Effective:  June 13, 2002