Legislation
Reports to the legislature
- Agent and subagent fees (RCW 46.01.325)
Annual analysis and evaluation of vehicle agent and subagent fees, and recommendations for fee revisions submitted every 3rd year. - Driver and Vehicle Services Fee Study (RCW 46.01.360)
Biennial fee study submitted to the transportation committees of the Senate and House to ensure cost recovery for DOL services. - Special license plate report (RCW 46.18.060)
Annual financial report submitted by organizations sponsoring active special license plates. - Tribal fuel tax agreements (RCW 82.36.450 (6))
Existing agreements and ongoing negotiations on motor vehicle fuel tax with federally-recognized tribes in Washington.
Agency-request legislation
- Appraisal industry federal compliance
By federal law, all states must have the same qualification requirements. Effective January 1, 2015, the federal rulemaking authority will require background checks for all real property appraiser candidates. We’re seeking the authority to perform these background checks because non-compliance could lead to decertification, which could have a significant impact on Washington’s housing industry.- View and track: Bill request
- Learn more: Factsheet: Appraisal industry federal compliance
- Commercial driver license federal compliance
This bill would amend Washington State law to comply with new federal regulations that:- Impact the eligibility and issuance of commercial driver licenses (CDLs) and commercial driver instruction permits (CDIPs).
- Require background checks of Department of Licensing employees who conduct CDL skills and knowledge tests.
- Make using a cell phone or texting while operating a commercial vehicle a “serious traffic offense” that must be recorded on the driver’s record.
- View and track: Senate Bill 5590
- Learn more: Factsheet: Commercial driver license federal compliance
- Confidential license plates and driver licenses
Law enforcement agencies use our confidential driver license and vehicle/vessel registration program to protect the safety of undercover officers. Despite the confidential intent of this program, undercover license plates, registrations, and driver licenses currently aren’t exempt from public disclosure. Release of this information could jeopardize law enforcement investigations and put officers at greater risk. This bill would create a public disclosure exemption and give us authority to perform background checks on employees involved in issuing confidential vehicle registrations or driver licenses.- View and track: Senate Bill 5591
- Learn more: Factsheet: Confidential license plates and driver licenses
- Fuel tax public disclosure
We have historically relied on Department of Revenue’s statutes to exempt fuel tax information from public disclosure. Recent case law indicates that agencies can’t use exemptions granted under other agencies’ statutes. We’re proposing changes to both the fuel tax and public disclosure laws that would allow us to withhold taxpayer information related to fuel tax.- View and track: Bill request
- Learn more: Factsheet: Fuel tax public disclosure
- Prorate and fuel tax services statute rewrite
This bill would streamline and update fuel tax laws to prepare for the new fuel tax collection system. Most of the law changes are technical (no policy or fiscal impact), except for recommended changes that would:- Eliminate the requirement for fingerprint cards and financial statements when applying for a fuel tax license.
- Reduce the number of fuel tax license types.
- Make penalty rates uniform.
- Eliminate the ability to carry forward fuel tax credit.
- Require fuel terminals in Washington to report fuel inventory, receipts, and disbursements.
- View and track: Proposed bill language
- Learn more: Factsheet: Prorate and fuel tax services statute rewrite
