SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5591

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 Passed Senate, January 24, 2020

Title: An act relating to exempting previously registered vehicles from the stolen vehicle check fee.

Brief Description: Exempting previously registered vehicles from the stolen vehicle check fee.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Schoesler).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/06/19, 2/13/19 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 2/20/19, 46-0; 1/24/20, 47-0.

Brief Summary of Engrossed First Substitute Bill

  • Exempts an applicant from the out-of-state vehicle check fee if the applicant has previously registered a vehicle in Washington State and maintained ownership while in another state or country.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5591 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Hobbs, Chair; Saldaña, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Cleveland, Das, Fortunato, Lovelett, Nguyen, O'Ban, Padden, Randall, Takko, Wilson, C. and Zeiger.

Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)

Background: In addition to other vehicle registration fees, current vehicle and vessel title registration statutes require all out-of-state applicants to go through a stolen vehicle check when registering a vehicle in Washington State. A stolen vehicle check requires a processing fee of $15, and applies to any applicant seeking to register an out-of-state vehicle.

Summary of Engrossed First Substitute Bill: An applicant is exempt from the $15 out-of-state vehicle check fee if the applicant has previously registered a vehicle in Washington State and maintained ownership of the vehicle while registered in another state or country.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2020.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: This is about fairness and simply not charging people for a service that are not receiving.  This also deals with the reality of the border areas that have people moving between states for business.

Persons Testifying: Senator Mark Schoesler, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.