Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 2353

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 Summary of Bill

Defines a fire trailer to mean a commercial trailer that is used only for wildfire response at logging sites, is only transported between storage and job sites, and is equipped with a water tank designed for fire-fighting purposes.
Provides permanent registration and license plates for fire trailers. The registered owner must pay the initial commercial trailer registration fee of $30 in addition to any other fees and taxes due to by law.

Background:

Several vehicle types may be permanently registered, without a requirement for registration renewal:

collector vehicles (30 years and older) and horseless carriages (40 years and older);
commercial trailers used to transport loads in excess of 40,000 pounds;
intermittent-use private trailers;
vehicles with Medal of Honor license plates;
vehicles with Disabled American Veteran or Prisoner of War license plates;
vehicles with Gold Star license plates; and
vehicles with Purple Heart license plates.

Each is treated differently in terms of how much the initial registration costs and how many vehicles may be registered by an individual owner.

Prior to 2015, license plates were generally replaced every 7 years. Since 2015 all plates are now permanent, only being replaced as needed due to wear, damage, or loss.

Summary of Bill:

A "fire trailer" is defined to mean a commercial trailer that is used only for wildfire response at logging sites, is only transported between storage and job sites, and is equipped with a water tank designed for fire-fighting purposes.

A fire trailer may be issued a permanent license plate and registration. The registered owner must pay the initial commercial trailer registration fee of $30 in addition to any other fees and taxes due to by law.

A fire trailer with permanent registration is exempt from registration renewal; expires upon change of ownership, removal from the state, or disposal; and may not be issued to trailers that haul logs.