2-year vehicle licensing gets approval in Senate

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Saturday, March 2, 2002

OLYMPIA -- Washington motorists would license their vehicles every two years instead of annually if a bill passed by the Senate on Friday becomes law.

Senate Bill 6494 would allow two-year licensing cycles for all vehicles except those that pay gross weight fees for 8,000 pounds or more.

Existing licensing fees and local taxes would be doubled so the same amount of money would be collected.

"This bill will save money, decrease the size and scope of government and save your folks a whole lot of time," said Sen. Harold Hochstatter, R-Moses Lake.

Hochstatter estimates it would save $6 million in administrative costs because roughly half as much paperwork would be required to process licenses. The county filing fee would increase from $3 for one-year licensing to $5 for two-year licensing, while subagents' fees would increase from $3.50 to $5.50.

Meanwhile, the state will take in nearly $80 million more than normal in license fees during the first year of the new system, according to a Senate Transportation Committee analysis.

In 2003, half of the vehicles registered would pay the double fee, while the other half would only pay for one year, then start two-year licensing in 2004.

The bill passed 48-1 despite opposition from subagents, who stand to lose business and income.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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