BILL REQ. #:  H-4532.1 

Read first time 01/22/10.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to the relationship between motor vehicle liability coverage and registration; adding new sections to chapter 46.16 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:
     To renew a vehicle license an applicant must provide proof of being insured under a motor vehicle liability policy with liability limits of at least the amounts provided in RCW 46.29.090, a self-insurance certificate as provided in RCW 46.29.630, or proof of coverage under a liability bond of at least the amounts provided in RCW 46.29.090.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Whenever the motor vehicle liability insurance policy, self-insurance certificate, or liability bond required under section 1 of this act is not renewed or is canceled, whether the nonrenewal or cancellation is initiated by the insured, the insurance company, or the bonding company, the registered owner of the vehicle or vehicles shall immediately notify the department. Failure to provide notice as required under this subsection is a misdemeanor.
     (2) Upon learning of or receiving notice that a registered owner no longer carries a liability insurance policy, self-insurance certificate, or liability bond, the department shall immediately notify the registered owner of the vehicle or vehicles formerly covered under the policy, certificate, or bond, that the registration for the vehicle or vehicles will be canceled within thirty days from the day of the notice unless the person in whose name the registration appears furnishes proof to the department within that time that replacement insurance has been obtained, or that the requirements of some other method of proof of financial responsibility allowed under RCW 46.30.020 have been met. If that proof is not timely supplied, the department shall immediately cancel the registration.
     (3) The department shall not refund any part of a registration fee in the event of a registration canceled under this section.