Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 23, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Senate passes bill that will end long lines for car owners and improve school bus and truck safety, Locke says

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today praised the state Senate for passing a bill that would end inspection requirements for vehicles brought into Washington from other states or countries.

The bill also would redirect State Patrol funding and personnel to inspect school buses and trucks.

"This bill would mean car owners no longer will have to stand in long lines waiting to get their cars inspected by the State Patrol. I've been asking the Legislature to pass it for several years," Locke said.

"This also would streamline state services. Car owners no longer will have to go to the State Patrol for auto inspections and then to the Department of Licensing, a county auditor or sub-agent for registration and titles," the governor added.

A different version of the bill passed the House of Representatives on March 12. The two versions will have to be reconciled before they can come to the governor's desk.

Locke said current law requires a State Patrol inspection of cars from other states and countries, a step designed to detect stolen cars.

The Senate bill requires the Department of Licensing to establish computer links to the national and state databases of stolen cars. The DOL will be required to notify the State Patrol if the computer check indicates an auto may have been stolen. The Patrol still will inspect rebuilt cars.

Drivers with vehicles previously registered in other states will continue to pay a $15 fee for the DOL document inspection and computer check.

Locke said the new system will redirect funding and personnel to other priorities within the State Patrol. He explained some of the funds and State Patrol personnel would be shifted to the School Bus Safety Inspection Program, the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program and the Commercial Vehicle Program. The Senate version of the bill also frees up an additional $1.4 million for other transportation priorities.

Auto dealers testified during hearings that the new law would save each dealership from $20,000 to $30,000 per year.

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