WSR 98-18-024

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING

[Filed August 25, 1998, 9:21 a.m.]



Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-14-081.

Title of Rule: Chapter 308-97 WAC, Vehicle license interstate and intransit permit.

Purpose: To meet the criteria set forth in Governor Locke's Executive Order 97-02.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.16.160.

Summary: Repealing WAC 308-97-010 Definitions, 308-97-060 Duration weight limit and converter gear, 308-97-090 Completing trip permits, 308-97-175 Bulk purchase of trip permits and 308-97-205 Design of trip permit; and amending WAC 308-97-125 Display of trip permits and 308-97-230 Appointment of vehicle trip permit agents.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Meet criteria supporting Governor Locke's Executive Order 97-02.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Patrick J. Zlateff, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, (360) 902-3718; Implementation and Enforcement: Arthur W. Farley, 2424 Bristol Court Avenue S.W., Olympia, (360) 753-6993.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The anticipated effects will be a clarification of the above mentioned requirements.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Making rules clear, concise and easier to comprehend for the public.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. A small business economic impact statement is not required pursuant to RCW 19.85.030 (1)(a). The proposed rule making does not impose more than a minor cost on businesses in an industry.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. The contents of the proposed rules are explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.

Hearing Location: Highways-Licenses Building, Conference Room 303, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98507, on October 6, 1998, at 10:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Patrick J. Zlateff by October 5, 1998, TDD (360) 664-8885, or (360) 902-3718.

Submit Written Comments to: Patrick J. Zlateff, Title and Registration Services, P.O. Box 2957, Olympia, WA 98507-2957, fax (360) 664-0831, by October 5, 1998.

Date of Intended Adoption: October 31, 1998.

August 24, 1998

Nancy S. Kelly, Administrator

Title and Registration Services

by Carol Judge

OTS-2435.1

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending Order DOL 634, filed 7/24/81)



WAC 308-97-125  Display of trip permits. ((The vehicle copy of the trip permit shall be displayed as indicated below. Locations for display are indicated in relation to the vehicle driver when seated in the vehicle.

(1) Passenger cars, and small trucks: Affix permit to the inside lower left corner of the rear window.

(2) Trucks, truck tractors and motor homes: Affix permit to the inside lower right corner of the windshield.

(3) Trailers, semi-trailers, converter gears, motorcycles and mopeds: Permit must be in possession of the vehicle operator (driver) or driver of the power unit pulling it.



Note: If display of the permit as prescribed above would obstruct the operator's vision, the permit will be displayed in an alternate location which is visible from outside the vehicle and does not obstruct the operator's view.))

How is a trip permit displayed?

The vehicle display copy of the trip permit shall be displayed as indicated below. Locations for display are indicated in relation to the vehicle driver when seated in the vehicle.

(1) Passenger cars, small trucks and campers: Affix permit to the inside lower left corner of the rear window.

(2) Trucks, tractors, truck tractors and motor homes: Affix permit to the inside lower right corner of the windshield.

(3) Trailers, semi-trailer, motorcycles and mopeds: Permit must be in possession of the vehicle operator (driver) or driver of the power unit pulling it.

(4) If display of the permit as prescribed above would obstruct the operator's vision, the permit will be displayed in an alternate location, which is visible from outside the vehicle and does not obstruct the operator's view.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.16.160. 81-16-010 (Order DOL 634), § 308-97-125, filed 7/24/81.]



AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending Order DOL 634, filed 7/24/81)



WAC 308-97-230  Appointment of vehicle trip permit agents. ((The director of the department of licensing or the director's designee may appoint the county auditors or other agents as his or her agent for the purpose of selling vehicle trip permits to the public.

(1) Any person or entity, other than a county auditor or other state agency, desiring to become an agent of the department for the purpose of issuing vehicle trip permits under the provisions of RCW 46.16.160 shall make application to the department on forms to be furnished by the department.

(2) Before appointment of any agent, other than a governmental agency or a governmental agency subagent, the department shall require the applicant for appointment as the director's permit agent to execute an agreement with the department to faithfully abide by the requirements of this chapter and RCW 46.16.160; to timely account and pay all permit fees; to subject their books and records to such periodic audit as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the director or the director's designee; and to pay interest and penalties upon any deficiency disclosed therein. Further, said applicant shall file with the department a surety bond executed by the applicant as principal, with a corporate surety qualified under the provisions of chapter 48.28 RCW, which bond shall be payable to the state conditioned upon the faithful performance of all the requirements of this chapter, RCW 46.16.160, and payment of any and all permit fees, payment of audit assessments, interest and penalties due and to become due thereunder. The bond shall be on a form to be provided by the department. The total amount of the bond or bonds required shall be equivalent to the monetary value of vehicle trip permits issued to such agent as determined by the department.

(3) The filing fee collected for each permit by an agent pursuant to RCW 46.01.140 shall be used by such agent to defray expenses incurred in handling and issuing said permits: Provided, That in the event such fee is collected by an agency of the state of Washington, as agent for the director, the fee so collected shall be certified to the state treasurer and deposited as provided by RCW 46.01.140.

(4) As a convenience to the public, issuance of vehicle trip permits may be requested by the permit applicant to be received via collect facsimile or other electronic transmission from an agent specifically authorized by the director or the director's designee to provide such service. When issuance of vehicle trip permits via collect facsimile or other electronic transmission has been so requested, such agent may collect from the requestor, upon delivery of such facsimile or other electronic transmission, transmission fees in addition to the statutory fees prescribed in RCW 46.16.160. Such transmission fees shall not exceed fees shown on the fee schedule filed with the department by each agent authorized to provide this service. No other fees may be charged by any agent.

(5) Agents will maintain records of transmittals for a period of four calendar years and make these records available to the department or its representative during business hours at the agent's office.

(6) Agent's accounts are subject to audit by the department of licensing. Vehicle trip permits issued to agents which are found to be missing, lost, or otherwise unaccounted for, will result in an assessment against said agent in an amount equal to the administrative fee and excise tax of such permit(s).

(7) Agents shall mail or deliver weekly transmittals to the department by Friday of each week for the seven-day period immediately preceding. Such transmittals shall be accompanied by the appropriate fees and such substantiating documents as may be required by the department.

(8) The director or director's designee may, in the exercise of discretion and after notice, served personally or by certified mail, revoke the appointment of any agent who has failed to comply with, or has violated any of the provisions of RCW 46.16.160, chapter 308-97 WAC, or published procedure, or who shall breach the agreement of appointment. Upon notice of revocation of the agent's appointment, the director or director's designee, shall require the return to the department of any vehicle trip permits then outstanding.)) (1) Who can sell vehicle trip permits?

Vehicle trip permits may be sold by those entities cited in RCW 46.16.160. These entities include government and nongovernment organizations.

(2) How does a nongovernment organization obtain approval to sell vehicle trip permits?

Nongovernment organizations must:

(a) Apply to the department;

(b) Execute an agreement to abide by the requirements of this section and RCW 46.16.160;

(c) Provide a surety bond; and

(d) Provide transmission fee schedule if issuing permits electronically.

(3) How do I obtain an application to become an agent for selling trip permits?

Any nongovernment organization may obtain an application form from the department of licensing, prorate and fuel tax section.

(4) What are the components of the agreement?

The components of the agreement require the agent to:

(a) Timely account and pay all permit fees;

(b) Subject their books and records to periodic audit;

(c) Pay interest and penalties upon any deficiency;

(d) Maintain records of transmittals for a period of four calendar years and make these records available to the department or its representative during business hours at the agent's office;

(e) Mail or deliver weekly transmittals to the department by Friday of each week for permit sales covering the preceding seven days. Transmittals shall be accompanied by the appropriate fees and any documents required by the department;

(f) Reimburse the department for the administrative fee and excise tax of any permit, which is missing, lost, or otherwise unaccounted for.

(5) What are the requirements of a surety bond?

The requirements of a surety bond are to:

(a) Be on a form provided by the department;

(b) Meet the provisions of chapter 48.28 RCW for a corporate surety bond;

(c) Be executed by the applicant as principal;

(d) Be payable to the state conditioned upon the performance of all the requirements of this section and RCW 46.16.160, including payment of any and all permit fees, payment of audit assessments, interest and penalties due or which become due;

(e) Be in an amount equal to the monetary value of vehicle trip permits issued to an agent.

(6) What is the agent fee for selling a vehicle transit permit?

The agent fee is the filing fee mandated by RCW 46.01.140.

(7) How may vehicle trip permits be issued?

Vehicle trip permits may be issued by:

(a) Original two-part manual form;

(b) Facsimile of the two-part manual form; or

(c) Authorized electronic form.

(8) If the permit is issued by facsimile or other electronic means, may the agent collect an additional transmission fee?

Yes. As long as the fee does not exceed that listed on the transmission schedule filed with the department.

(9) What happens if the agent fails to comply with the agreement?

The department may, after proper notice, served personally or by certified mail, revoke the appointment of any agent who has violated any provisions of RCW 46.16.160, chapter 308-97 WAC, or breached the appointment agreement. Upon notice of revocation of an agent's appointment, the agent shall return to the department any vehicle trip permits in inventory and any money owed to the department.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.16.160. 81-16-010 (Order DOL 634), § 308-97-230, filed 7/24/81. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. 80-13-001 (Order DOL 591), § 308-97-230, filed 9/4/80.]



REPEALER



The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:



WAC 308-97-010 Definitions.

WAC 308-97-060 Duration, weight limit and converter gear.

WAC 308-97-090 Completing trip permits.

WAC 308-97-175 Bulk purchase of trip permits.

WAC 308-97-205 Design of trip permit.