OLYMPIA... With hot-rod and custom-car enthusiasts looking on, Gov. Christine Gregoire signed Senate Bill 5585 into law yesterday, further clarifying the licensing and registration of certain types of automobiles. Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood and devout auto hobbyist, sponsored the bill to modify the state's vehicle-registration and -title laws.
"I couldn't believe how important this bill had become to those in the hobby-car community," Carrell said. "I've received dozens of e-mails, phone calls and letters - one from as far away as Paris, France - thanking me for sponsoring this bill. There's a huge groundswell of support for this legislation, and as a car collector myself I'm very proud to have sponsored it."
SB 5585 will allow owners of classic cars, including kits and replicas, to license their vehicles using the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble. The bill also exempts street rods and custom cars from a range of standard-equipment requirements and emissions inspections. Carrell added that these custom cars are often purchased as a kit and assembled from the ground up by hobbyists.
"I was especially glad to see some of the supporters at yesterday's bill signing." Carrell said. "I had a chance to sit down and chat with them, and once a couple of car guys start talking shop the time can really fly by. Also, I wanted to thank the folks at SEMA - the Specialty Equipment Market Association - for helping to spread the word about my bill. I'm convinced that it wouldn't have had nearly the amount of publicity it has enjoyed without their efforts."
SB 5585 passed the Senate unanimously on Feb. 28, and passed the House of Representatives 95-1 on April 5. The bill takes effect Oct. 1.