46.16.0621 - License fee.

License fee. (Effective until July 1, 2011.)

(1) License tab fees are required to be $30 per year for motor vehicles, regardless of year, value, make, or model.

     (2) For the purposes of this section, "license tab fees" are defined as the general fees paid annually for licensing motor vehicles and trailers as defined in RCW 46.04.620 and 46.04.623, including cars, sport utility vehicles, motorcycles, and motor homes. Trailers licensed under RCW 46.16.068 or 46.16.085 and campers licensed under RCW 46.16.505 are not required to pay license tab fees under this section.

[2003 c 1 § 2 (Initiative Measure No. 776, approved November 5, 2002); 2002 c 352 § 7; 2000 1st sp.s. c 1 § 1.]

Notes: Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2002 c 352 § 7 and by 2003 c 1 § 2 (Initiative Measure No. 776), each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Severability -- Savings -- 2003 c 1 (Initiative Measure No. 776): See note following RCW 81.104.160.

Policies and purposes -- 2003 c 1 (Initiative Measure No. 776): "This measure would require license tab fees to be $30 per year for motor vehicles and light trucks and would repeal certain government-imposed charges, including excise taxes and fees, levied on motor vehicles. Politicians promised "$30 license tabs are here to stay" and promised any increases in vehicle-related taxes, fees and surcharges would be put to a public vote. Politicians should keep their promises. As long as taxpayers must pay incredibly high sales taxes when buying motor vehicles (meaning state and local governments receive huge windfalls of sales tax revenue from these transactions), the people want license tab fees to not exceed the promised $30 per year. Without this follow-up measure, "tab creep" will continue until license tab fees are once again obscenely expensive, as they were prior to Initiative 695. The people want a public vote on any increases in vehicle-related taxes, fees and surcharges to ensure increased accountability. Voters will require more cost-effective use of existing revenues and fundamental reforms before approving higher charges on motor vehicles (such changes may remove the need for any increases). Also, dramatic changes to transportation plans and programs previously presented to voters must be resubmitted. This measure provides a strong directive to all taxing districts to obtain voter approval before imposing taxes, fees and surcharges on motor vehicles. However, if the legislature ignores this clear message, a referendum will be filed to protect the voters' rights. Politicians should just do the right thing and keep their promises." [2003 c 1 § 1 (Initiative Measure No. 776, approved November 5, 2002).]

Construction -- 2003 c 1 (Initiative Measure No. 776): "The provisions of this act are to be liberally construed to effectuate the intent, policies, and purposes of this act." [2003 c 1 § 9 (Initiative Measure No. 776, approved November 5, 2002).]

Intent -- 2003 c 1 (Initiative Measure No. 776): "The people have made clear through the passage of numerous initiatives and referenda that taxes need to be reasonable and tax increases should always be a last resort. However, politicians throughout the state of Washington continue to ignore these repeated mandates.

     The people expect politicians to keep their promises. The legislative intent of this measure is to ensure that they do.

     Politicians are reminded:

     (1) Washington voters want license tab fees to be $30 per year for motor vehicles unless voters authorize higher vehicle-related charges at an election.

     (2) All political power is vested in the people, as stated in Article I, section 1 of the Washington state Constitution.

     (3) The first power reserved by the people is the initiative, as stated in Article II, section 1 of the Washington state Constitution.

     (4) When voters approve initiatives, politicians have a moral, ethical, and constitutional obligation to fully implement them. When politicians ignore this obligation, they corrupt the term "public servant."

     (5) Any attempt to violate the clear intent and spirit of this measure undermines the trust of the people in their government and will increase the likelihood of future tax limitation measures." [2003 c 1 § 11 (Initiative Measure No. 776, approved November 5, 2002).]

Effective dates -- 2002 c 352: See note following RCW 46.09.070.

Effective date -- 2000 1st sp.s. c 1: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 31, 2000]." [2000 1st sp.s. c 1 § 3.]

Retroactive application -- 2000 1st sp.s. c 1: "This act applies retroactively to January 1, 2000." [2000 1st sp.s. c 1 § 4.]

Boat trailer fee: RCW 46.16.670.