Governor signs Warnick measure allowing subagents to process quick titles for vehicles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2014

CONTACT: Kurt Hammond, Public Information Officer – (360) 786-7794

Governor signs Warnick measure allowing subagents to process quick titles for vehicles

Vehicles owners will soon have more options to get a quick title for their vehicles under legislation signed by Gov. Jay Inslee today.

House Bill 2674, sponsored by Rep. Judy Warnick, would allow more subagents to process quick titles if they so choose to do so and go through the Department of Licensing (DOL) process giving them that ability.

The quick title made quick work of the legislative process. House Bill 2674 had a public hearing in the House Transportation Committee on Feb. 3 passed both chambers by March 4, and was signed by the governor this afternoon.

“This isn’t earth-shattering legislation, but it goes to show you what can be done when stakeholders work together,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “The vehicle subagents, the county auditors and DOL all participated in putting this bill together and the Legislature processed it rather quickly.

“The bill streamlines the quick title process and more subagents will have the opportunity to process them as well. One of the issues has been some county auditors have no desire to offer quick titles so this will open up the opportunity for the subagents to provide this service.”

Currently in Washington state, there are 37 locations where quick titles are produced, with 22 county auditor offices and 15 subagent offices providing the quick title service. During the period of July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013, there were 21,986 vehicle and 476 vessel quick titles produced.

Warnick’s bill will go into effect 90 days after the end of the 2014 regular session, scheduled to end on March 13.

Another piece of legislation some in the 13th District will be interested in was also signed by the governor Thursday. House Bill 2547, co-sponsored by 13th District Reps. Judy Warnick and Matt Manweller, allows Kittitas County to create a less than countywide port district if the voters act before Dec. 31, 2020. A ballot proposition would have to be submitted to the voters authorizing the creation of the port district. If approved, the initial port commissioners may be elected at the next general election.

“A port district in Kittitas County has been under consideration for quite some time as they look to expand economic development opportunities. This legislation provides them tool to pursue this, if they and the voters so choose,” Warnick said.

House Bill 2547 also goes into effect 90 days the end of today’s adjournment of the regular session.