SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1157

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.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Transportation, June 24, 2015

Title: An act relating to the apportionment of quick title service fees collected by appointed subagents.

Brief Description: Modifying the apportionment of quick title service fees collected by appointed subagents.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Pike, Wylie, Wilson and Moeller).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/19/15, 97-0; 6/11/15, 88-1.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 6/24/15 [DP, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators King, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Hobbs, Ranking Minority Member; Liias, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cleveland, Habib, Jayapal, Litzow, Miloscia, Pedersen, Rivers and Sheldon.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senator Ericksen.

Staff: Amanda Cecil (786-7429)

Background: A certificate of title is required to operate, sell, or transfer a vehicle in Washington State. A certificate of title has a similar function for vessels but is not required. It generally takes six to eight weeks after application to receive a certificate of title. There is a $15 title fee and a $12 service fee due on a certificate of title. If certain conditions are met an applicant can apply for a quick title. A quick title is issued to the applicant immediately and is subject to an additional quick title fee of $50. If the quick title is processed by the Department of Licensing, the $50 fee is deposited into the Motor Vehicle Fund for a vehicle or to the general fund for a vessel. If the quick title is processed by an auditor, an agent, or a subagent, $25 of the fee is retained by the county treasurer and the remaining $25 is deposited into the Motor Vehicle Fund for a vehicle or the general fund for a vessel.

Summary of Bill: When a vehicle or vessel quick title is processed by a subagent, $12.50 of the fee that was retained by the county stays with the subagent that processed the transaction.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2016.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Quick titles can be a time consuming process and this allows for an equitable split of the quick titles fee between the county and the subagent that processed the quick title.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Charlene Huffman, Clark County Auditor/Manager-Auto License Department; Chester Baldwin, Washington Association of Vehicle Subagents.

Persons Signed in to Testify But Not Testifying: None