Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
HB 1581
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Modifying the distribution of the thirty dollar vehicle license fee.
Sponsors: Representatives Fey, Rodne, Moscoso, Sells, Hayes and Hurst.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/8/16
Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).
Background:
Washington requires an initial vehicle license fee and a renewal license fee of $30. The license fee applies to passenger cars and cabs, motor homes, travel trailers, motorcycles, other trailers, and tow trucks.
Prior to Initiative 695 in 1999, the initial vehicle license fee was $27.75 and the renewal was $23.75. The distribution was as follows:
$20.35 for initial and renewal registrations to the State Patrol Highway Account;
$2.02 for an initial registration and 93 cents for a renewal registration to the Puget Sound Ferry Operations Account; and
$5.38 for an initial registration and $2.47 for a renewal registration to the Motor Vehicle Account.
Initiative 695 (I-695) increased the fees to $30 for initial vehicle licenses and renewals. The Legislature, after I-695 was declared unconstitutional, enacted legislation codifying the $30 fee with the following distribution which was the same as I-695:
$26.60 for initial registration and $22.60 for renewal to be deposited to the State Patrol Highway Account;
$2.02 for an initial registration and 93 cents for a renewal to be deposited to the Puget Sound Ferry Operations Account; and
the remainder to be deposited to the Motor Vehicle Account.
In 2002 the $30 vehicle license fee was redistributed through legislation which remains currently and is distributed as follows:
$20.35 for initial and renewal registrations to be deposited to the State Patrol Highway Account;
$2.02 for an initial registration and 93 cents for a renewal to be deposited to the Puget Sound Ferry Operations Account; and
the remainder to be deposited to the Motor Vehicle Account.
Summary of Bill:
The initial and renewal $30 vehicle license fee distribution is changed to be deposited solely to the State Patrol Highway Account.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect January 1, 2016.