HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1453

BYRepresentatives Appelwick, Winsley, Fisher and Jacobsen

Restricting disclosure of vehicle registration records.

House Committe on Constitution, Elections & Ethics

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (5)

      Signed by Representatives Fisher, Chair; Pruitt, Vice Chair; Barnes, R. King and Leonard.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives Amondson and Sanders.

House Staff:Kenneth Hirst (786-7105)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTION, ELECTIONS & ETHICS

JANUARY 28, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The public disclosure statutes require that the records of public agencies be open to inspection and copying by members of the public unless the records are exempted from such a requirement by state law.

The state's motor vehicle statutes prohibit the release of the name or address of an individual owner of a motor vehicle unless the request is in writing and person requesting the information provides his or her name and address.  Notice that such a disclosure request has been honored must be sent to the affected vehicle owner and must indicate the name and address of the person requesting the disclosure.  This requirement does not apply to persons who routinely request such information for use in the course of their business or occupation.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The name and address of an individual vehicle owner may not be released except:  as necessary to carry out the duties or activities of the Department of Licensing; to a public agency (including a Canadian governmental agency) or its agents to the extent necessary for the performance of the agency's duties; or to persons otherwise permitted by law to obtain access to the Department's records and only to the extent necessary to achieve the purpose of the law permitting the disclosure.  Notice that such a disclosure request has been honored must be sent to the affected vehicle owner and must indicate the name and address of the person requesting the disclosure.

This restriction does not apply to persons who routinely request such information for use in the course of their businesses or occupations.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The amendment provides an exemption from the restrictions established by the bill.  The exemption applies to persons who routinely request the disclosure of vehicle registration information for their businesses or occupations.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 25, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representatives Appelwick and Winsley.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Charles Montgomery, United Pacific Insurance; and Paul Conrad, Allied Daily Newspapers.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (1) There is far too much casual access to motor vehicle records for identifying vehicle owners.  The access exposes the owner to anxiety if not criminal activity.  (2) In King County last year, the names and addresses of 1,900 vehicle owners were provided to persons other than those who request the information as part of their businesses.  (3) The current system simply requires the requester to provide his or her name and address.  Requesters can and have provided false information.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (1) Unless an exemption is provided for insurance companies, the bill may prevent them from getting the information needed under the fair claims practices code.  (2) The current law should not be changed.