WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Moeller’s quick-title bill will save many citizens big travel time

Vancouver lawmaker’s measure also lops off some of the paperwork

OLYMPIA – State Rep. Jim Moeller’s idea aimed at trimming red tape for people who want to get a quick title for their vehicles and vessels has won approval in both legislative chambers and will soon be on its way to the governor’s desk.

House Bill 1046 establishes the definition of a quick vehicle title as a certificate of ownership printed at the time of application in a county auditor’s office.

Moeller said that “it can be so much more convenient for citizens around our state to have this service locally. This would mean additional local dollars for counties that decide to provide the service in addition to the convenience for citizens who need a quick title for a vehicle or vessel.

“Right now,” Moeller explained, “Clark County is one of few Washington counties offering the quick-title service. My legislation allows our county auditor to collect a fee of $50 from people who want to move to the front of the line, thus offsetting the cost of providing a quick title.”

Washington citizens in many cases currently must travel a long way to get a quick title immediately.

Quick titles take additional time to process because of the verification and review process. People who don’t go for a quick title have to wait several weeks for the title to be processed through the Department of Licensing’s bureaucracy in Olympia.

Moeller is a member of the House Transportation Committee where the legislation received a public hearing earlier this year.