Washington House Bill HB1519

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/25
• Refer: 1/22/25
• Report Pass: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/12/25

Caption

AN ACT Relating to making adjustments to the service and filing fees for vehicle subagents, county auditors, and other agents;

Summary

HB1519 adjusts the service and filing fees charged in connection with vehicle registration and title transactions handled by the Department of Licensing, county auditors, and other authorized agents or subagents. The bill increases the service fee for certain title-related services, including changes in certificate of title, ownership changes for non-titled vehicles, verification of record, and preparation of an affidavit of lost title, from the prior lower amount to $15. It also sets an $8 service fee for registration renewals, transit permits, and other services under the section, in addition to any other taxes or fees already required by law. The bill also creates a new filing-fee structure for vehicle registration and title applications. A person applying for vehicle registration or another right to operate a vehicle must pay a $4.50 filing fee, and a person applying for a certificate of title must pay a $5.50 filing fee. These filing fees are to be distributed under existing statutory provisions and apply only to registrations due or becoming due on or after January 1, and to title transactions processed on or after January 1.

Impact

HB1519 amends Washington statutes governing vehicle-related fees by changing the amounts collected by the Department of Licensing, county auditors, and their agents, and by creating new filing fees for registration and title transactions. The bill directs that service fees collected under the amended section be credited to the capital vessel replacement account, and it applies prospectively to future registration renewals and title processing dates. In practical terms, the bill increases costs for vehicle owners and others completing title or registration transactions, while also affecting revenue distribution to state accounts.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the bill was generally supported in committee, with the House Transportation Committee voting 22-2 to substitute the first substitute bill and do pass. No committee transcript is provided, but the strong committee vote indicates broad support for the fee adjustments. The limited opposition suggests the bill was not highly controversial at the committee stage, though the recorded nays show some concern remained.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the increase in fees paid by vehicle owners and applicants for title and registration services, since the bill raises both service and filing charges. Opponents may have objected to higher costs for routine vehicle transactions or to the use of fee revenue for the capital vessel replacement account, while supporters likely viewed the changes as a needed adjustment to fund state programs and administrative costs. The 22-2 committee vote indicates these concerns were present but not enough to prevent advancement.