HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1478

BYRepresentatives Zellinsky, Walk, Schmidt, Haugen, K. Wilson, Baugher and Crane

Changing requirements governing vehicle license plates.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (21)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, Doty, Fox, Gallagher, Haugen, Jacobsen, Jones, Kremen, Meyers, Patrick, Schmidt, Vekich, J. Williams, K. Wilson, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (5)

      Signed by Representatives Fisher, Hankins, Heavey, D. Sommers and Todd.

House Staff:Terry Michalson (786-7315)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION JANUARY 28, 1988

BACKGROUND:

When a person registers a motor vehicle and requests that the motor vehicle be licensed for use on the highways of the state, the Department of Licensing, when the application is filed and the registration and licensing fees are paid, issues two identical license plates to be affixed to the vehicle and displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle, unless, as in the case of a motorcycle, only one plate is issued.  The Department directs the registration tabs (decals) to be affixed to the rear license plate in a prescribed location.

At the time the vehicle license is requested to be renewed, the Department of Licensing issues a year tab (decal) to be attached to the rear of the vehicle.  Existing law permits the Director of Licensing to determine the type and location of these registration symbols.

It has been suggested that the enforcement of the state motor vehicle registration laws should improve when registration tabs (decals) are placed on both the rear and front license plates of a vehicle.

SUMMARY:

AMENDED BILL:  Beginning January 1, 1989, registration tabs shall be issued by the Department of Licensing and affixed to each vehicle license plate in the appropriate place on the plate; both front and rear plates will be tabbed when two plates are required on the vehicle.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  An effective date for implementation is established, and renewed vehicle licenses are incorporated.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 25, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Captain Rick Jensen, Washington State Patrol.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The placement of registration tabs on the front license plate as well as the rear license plate will increase the ability of law enforcement officers to enforce the state's vehicle registration laws.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.