Sponsor Statement for HB 78: Transfer of Vehicle Title

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Alaska State Legislature
Representative Fred Dyson
District 25 - Republican

Session:
State Capitol, Room 104
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: (907) 465-2199
Fax: (907) 465-4587
Send E-Mail

Interim:
10928 Eagle River Rd., Suite 140
Eagle River, AK 99577
Phone: (907) 694-6683
Fax: (907) 694-1015

Sponsor Statement for HB 78
Transfer of Vehicle Title

Updated: February 5, 1999

In 1996, the Alaska State Legislature extended the emission (I/M) testing period from one year to two years. During the negotiating process, a compromise was reached with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that required an owner to obtain a current I/M test before the title can be transferred.

The unintended result of this compromise is that, when the vehicle is not operable at the time of sale, it forces the seller to remain as the registered owner of record. This most often happens under the following circumstances:

A vehicle is to be overhauled or repaired after purchase. If the new owner lacks parts, money, or time, it may take months or years to put the vehicle back in acceptable operating conditions.

Auto hobbyists may purchase an inoperable vehicle and spend years on a national search for original parts before registering the vehicle and transferring the title. This action leaves the vehicle in the previous owner's name.

This problem only affects the areas of the state that require I/M testing. There they have a work-around process for this situation, but it is cumbersome and onerous.

The cities and boroughs of this state should not be telling the state that the state cannot transfer a vehicle title.

The state's Division of Motor Vehicles appears to have no objections to this change. They also state that it will eliminate a point of contention with vehicle owners.

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