SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 6710

As Passed Senate, March 2, 2004

Title: An act relating to transportation fees.

Brief Description: Adjusting transportation fees.

Sponsors: Senators Horn, Haugen, Swecker, Spanel and Esser.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 2/9/04 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 3/2/04, 30-18.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6710 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Haugen, Jacobsen, Kastama, Murray, Oke, Poulsen and Spanel.

Staff: Dean Carlson (786-7305)

Background: Substitute Senate Bill 6814, enacted in 2002, requires the Department of Licensing (DOL) to conduct a study comparing the fees it charges for services to the cost of the agency to provide the service. The purpose of the study is to ensure cost recovery for its services. The study is to be submitted to the transportation committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate biennially. This year, DOL submitted the study to both the House of Representatives and to the Senate.

Summary of Bill: The following DOL fees are raised:

      1.   The reflectorized plate fee is raised from 50 cents to $2.

      2.   The fee for replacement plates is raised from $3 to $10.

      3.   The fee for an original driver's license application is raised from $10 to $20.

      4.   The fee for an identicard is raised from $15 to $20.

      5.   The fee for an instruction permit is raised from $15 to $20.

      6.   The fee for an occupational driver's license is raised from $25 to $100.

      7.   The fee to get a driver's license reinstated after a non-alcohol related offense is raised from $20 to $75.

      8.   The fee for a DUI hearing is raised from $100 to $200.

The license fee on private use trailers under 2,000 lbs. is reduced from $30 to $15.

A court must enter into a payment plan with a person determined by the court not to be able to pay their obligation (i.e., traffic fines, parking tickets, fees, etc.) in full.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The fees for reflectorized plates and replacement plates take effect October 1, 2004, the fees for small trailers take effect January 1, 2005, and all other fees take effect July 1, 2004.

Testimony For: None.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: No one.