WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2022 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 4078

By Delegates Howell, Maynor, Haynes, Martin, Tully, Barrett, Hamrick, Maynard, Paynter, Ferrell, and Zatezalo

[Introduced January 13, 2022; Referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Government Organization]

A BILL to amend and reenact §17A-3-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allow foreign market vehicles over 25 years old to be exempted from title requirements and to be registered under this article for an additional $25 fee.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 3. ORIGINAL AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION; ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF TITLE.

§17A-3-5. Application for specially constructed, reconstructed or foreign vehicles or new vehicles purchased outside this state.

(a) In the event the vehicle to be registered is specially constructed, reconstructed, or a foreign vehicle, such fact shall be stated in the application and with reference to every foreign vehicle which has been registered heretofore outside of this state the owner shall surrender to the department all registration plates, registration cards, and certificates of title or other evidence of such foreign registration as may be in his or her possession or under his or her control except as provided in subsection (b) hereof.

(b) Where in the course of interstate operation of a vehicle registered in another state it is desirable to retain registration of said vehicle in such other state, such applicant need not surrender but shall submit for inspection said evidences of such foreign registration and the department upon a proper showing shall register said vehicle in this state but shall not issue a certificate of title for such vehicle.

(c) In the event application for registration and certificate of title is made for a new vehicle purchased from a dealer outside this state, a certificate of title shall not be issued for such vehicle nor shall such vehicle be registered by the department unless and until such application shall be accompanied by a certificate of title or a manufacturer's certificate of origin, or if the state of purchase does not require a certificate of title such application shall be accompanied by a manufacturer's certificate of origin, accompanied by evidence that such seller is a bona fide dealer of the state in which such vehicle was purchased.

(d) Any foreign market vehicle manufactured 25 years ago or greater shall not be subject to the provisions of this article and may be titled in this state and registered upon application and payment of fees, including an additional $25 fee. Application for registration of these vehicles shall not be subject to safety inspection but shall include proof of liability insurance as required by this article.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to exempt foreign market vehicles manufactured 25 or more years ago from certain title requirements and allow registration upon application and payment of an additional $25 fee.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.