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HB0041 • 2023

Lightweight trailers-permanent registration.

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; providing for the permanent registration of specified trailers; providing a fee exemption for permanently registered trailers; specifying requirements upon transfer of ownership; and providing for an effective date.

Taxes
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Transportation
Last action
2023-02-21
Official status
enrolled
Effective date
7/1/2023

Plain English Breakdown

The official bill text specifies a $350 fee, not $500 as initially stated.

Permanent Registration for Lightweight Trailers

This law allows owners of certain lightweight trailers to register them permanently with a one-time fee, exempting them from future registration fees as long as they own the trailer.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows owners of specified lightweight trailers to register them permanently upon payment of a $350 fee at initial registration or an alternative method.
  • Exempts owners from additional registration fees after paying the one-time permanent registration fee, provided they continue to own the trailer.
  • Specifies that if a permanently registered trailer is sold, the new owner must pay all applicable fees and cannot transfer the permanent license plate.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Owners of lightweight trailers who want a permanent registration for their trailer.
  • County treasurers responsible for distributing part of the permanent registration fee like property taxes.
  • The state's highway fund which receives part of the permanent registration fees.

Terms To Know

Permanent Registration
A one-time registration process that allows trailer owners to avoid paying annual fees after an initial payment.
Lightweight Trailers
Trailers that meet specific weight and age requirements set by the state's vehicle laws.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law does not specify what happens if a trailer is sold after permanent registration, except that the new owner must pay all applicable fees.
  • It is unclear how many owners will choose to get permanent registration for their trailers.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB0041H3001

3rd reading • Representative Walters

Adopted

Plain English: This amendment to HB0041 changes how permanent registration fees for lightweight trailers are collected and under what conditions.

  • Adds a one-time fee of $500 at the time of initial registration or payment.
  • Modifies language about when certain subsections apply, ensuring they only refer to the new fee structure.
  • Removes specific lines that no longer align with the updated fee requirements.
  • The exact impact on existing trailer owners and how exemptions will be handled is not detailed in this amendment text.
HB0041H3002

3rd reading • Representative Tarver

Failed

Plain English: The amendment changes a specific reference in the bill text to include additional sections of Wyoming Statute.

  • Removes the phrase 'W.S.' from line 22 on page 2 of the bill.
  • Replaces '31-3-101(a)(ii)(E)(I)' with 'W.S. 31-3-101(a)(ii)(E)(I) through (V)' at line 23 on page 2.
  • The amendment does not provide context for why these changes are necessary, which limits understanding of the full impact.
  • Without additional information about what 'W.S. 31-3-101(a)(ii)(E)(I) through (V)' entails, it's unclear exactly how this will affect the bill.
HB0041JC001

Conference Committee

H Adopted, S Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the fee for permanent registration of certain trailers from $500 to $350.

  • Reduces the fee for permanently registering specified lightweight trailers from five hundred dollars ($500.00) to three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00).
HB0041HS001

Standing Committee • House Transportation, Highways and Military Affair

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment removes a specific phrase from the bill's text.

  • Removes 'and (b)' from the bill's text at page 3, line 23.
  • It is unclear what removing this phrase will change in the overall context of the bill.
HB0041S2001

2nd reading • Senator Brennan

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the fee for permanent registration of certain trailers from $500 to $200.

  • Reduces the fee for permanently registering specified trailers from five hundred dollars ($500.00) to two hundred dollars ($200.00).
HB0041SW001

Committee of the Whole • Senator Brennan

Withdrawn

Plain English: The amendment reduces the fee for permanent registration of certain trailers from $500 to $250.

  • Changes the fee for permanent trailer registration from five hundred dollars to two hundred fifty dollars.
HB0041SS001

Standing Committee • Senate Transportation, Highways and Military Affai

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment modifies sections related to trailer registration and adds provisions for distributing permanent registration fees between county treasurers and the highway fund.

  • Adds a new subsection (b) in W.S. 31-2-213, allowing the department to issue license plates valid for up to eight years with annual validation stickers.
  • Inserts a new subsection (m) in W.S. 31-3-103, specifying that half of the permanent registration fee goes to county treasurers and the other half to the highway fund.
  • The amendment text does not provide details on how annual validation stickers are obtained or enforced.
  • It is unclear what specific trailers qualify as 'mobile equipment' mentioned in the amendment.

Bill History

  1. 2023-02-21 LSO

    Assigned Chapter Number 68

  2. 2023-02-21 Governor

    Governor Signed HEA No. 0034

  3. 2023-02-17 Senate

    S President Signed HEA No. 0034

  4. 2023-02-16 House

    H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0034

  5. 2023-02-16 LSO

    Assigned Number HEA No. 0034

  6. 2023-02-13 Senate

    S Appointed JCC01 Members

  7. 2023-02-10 House

    H Appointed JCC01 Members

  8. 2023-02-10 House

    H Concur:Failed 2-59-1-0-0

  9. 2023-02-09 House

    H Received for Concurrence

  10. 2023-02-09 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:Passed 31-0-0-0-0

  11. 2023-02-08 Senate

    S 2nd Reading:Passed

  12. 2023-02-07 Senate

    S COW:Passed

  13. 2023-02-07 Senate

    S Placed on General File

  14. 2023-02-07 Senate

    S08 - Transportation:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0

  15. 2023-01-31 Senate

    S Introduced and Referred to S08 - Transportation

  16. 2023-01-24 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  17. 2023-01-20 House

    H 3rd Reading:Passed 61-0-1-0-0

  18. 2023-01-19 House

    H 2nd Reading:Passed

  19. 2023-01-18 House

    H COW:Passed

  20. 2023-01-18 House

    H Placed on General File

  21. 2023-01-18 House

    H08 - Transportation:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0

  22. 2023-01-11 House

    H Introduced and Referred to H08 - Transportation

  23. 2023-01-06 House

    H Received for Introduction

  24. 2022-12-12 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 23LSO-0018
Bill No.:

HB0041

Effective:

7/1/2023

LSO No.:

23LSO-0018

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0034

Chapter No.:

68

Prime Sponsor:

Joint Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Interim Committee

Catch Title:

Lightweight trailers-permanent registration.

Subject:

Providing for the permanent registration of specified lightweight trailers.

Summary/Major Elements:

This act provides for the permanent registration of specified lightweight trailers, prohibits transferring permanent registration to a new owner and allows an owner of a trailer that is permanently registered to transfer their permanent registration to a newly acquired trailer under specified circumstances.

This act provides for distribution of permanent registration fees: fifty percent (50%) shall be distributed by county treasurers in the same proportion and manner as property taxes and fifty percent (50%) shall be distributed to the highway fund.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
23LSO-0018

ORIGINAL House

ENGROSSED
Bill No
.
HB0041

ENROLLED ACT NO. 34,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2023 General Session

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; providing for the permanent registration of specified trailers; providing a fee exemption for permanently registered trailers; specifying requirements upon transfer of ownership; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
206(a) and by creating new subsections (n) through (q), 31
‑
2
‑
213(b), 31
‑
2
‑
214(a)(intro) and by creating a new subsection (e), 31
‑
3
‑
101(g) by creating a new paragraph (v) and 31
‑
3
‑
103 by creating a new subsection (m) are amended to read:

31
‑
2
‑
206.

Annual renewal; delivery of license plates and stickers; staggered registration; permanent registration of lightweight trailers.

(a)

Except as otherwise provided vehicle registrations expire on the last day of the annual registration month. Renewals are effective for one (1) year beginning the first day of the month following the annual registration month. The initial registration for a vehicle in this state expires on the last day of the annual registration month in the following year. Except as provided in subsection (h)
and in subsections (n) through (q)
of this section, nothing in this section prohibits an owner from registering a vehicle for more than twelve (12) but less than twenty
‑
four (24) months.

(n)

Except for a trailer that is mobile equipment, the owner of a trailer as defined in W.S. 31
‑
1
‑
101(a)(xxiii) and subject to the provisions of paragraphs (i) and (iii) of this subsection may permanently register the trailer upon payment of a fee in the amount of three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) at the time of initial registration. Alternatively, the owner may permanently register the trailer by paying the fees under subsection (o) of this section, provided the trailer:

(i)

Is within the weight limits of W.S. 31
‑
3
‑
101(a)(ii)(E)(I);

(ii)

Is not less than six (6) years old; and

(iii)

Is subject to registration fees under W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
201.

(o)

Upon payment of the fees specified in subsection (n) of this section or this subsection the department shall issue a distinctive license plate indicating the permanent registration of the trailer. After payment of the fees under subsection (n) of this section or this subsection, the owner of a trailer that is permanently registered under subsection (n) of this section is not subject to additional registration fees for as long as the owner owns the trailer. If the one
‑
time fee in the amount of three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) is not paid, the fees for permanent registration of a trailer under subsection (n) of this section are:

(i)

A permanent registration state administration fee in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00); and

(ii)

An amount equal to five (5) times the applicable fees under W.S. 31
‑
3
‑
101(a) plus any donation amounts under W.S. 31
‑
3
‑
101(h) or (j). Any donated amount shall not be subject to the requirement to pay five (5) times the applicable amount.

(p)

The owner of a trailer that is permanently registered under subsection (n) of this section shall display the permanent registration license plate in accordance with W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
205 only on the permanently registered trailer for which the plate was issued, except when transferred pursuant to W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
214(e).

(q)

The permanent registration of a trailer under subsection (n) of this section shall not be transferred to a new owner. Upon transfer of a trailer that had been permanently registered under subsection (n) of this section to a new owner, the new owner shall be subject to all applicable title, registration and license fees under title 31, chapter 2, articles 1 and 2 and chapter 3 of Wyoming statutes for the trailer.

31
‑
2
‑
213.

Department to supply registration certificates, plates and stickers; removable windshield placards.

(b)

The department may issue license plates, except
permanent,
dealer and antique motor vehicle license plates, which shall be valid for not more than eight (8) years if annual validation stickers are attached in the upper left corner of the license plate with the month and year of expiration clearly visible. Department authorized license plates and annual stickers shall be of colors that are readily distinguishable from the previous year.

31
‑
2
‑
214.

Transfer of ownership.

(a)

Except as provided by subsections (b) through
(d)
(e)
of this section, upon transfer of ownership of a vehicle the registration of the vehicle expires and the original owner shall immediately remove the license plates from the vehicle. Within sixty (60) days after acquiring another vehicle for which the license plates would be proper, the original owner may file an application for the transfer of the license registration number to a vehicle acquired by him accompanied by the fees based on the amount which would be due on a new registration as of the date of transfer less any credit for the unused portion of the original registration fees for the original vehicle for the assignment of the plates to the recently acquired vehicle subject to the following:

(e)

Upon transfer of ownership of a trailer that had been permanently registered under W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
206(n) the permanent registration of that trailer expires and the original owner shall immediately remove the license plate from that trailer. If within sixty (60) days after the transfer of ownership the original owner acquires another trailer for which the permanent license plate would be proper, the original owner may file an application for the transfer of the license registration number to the newly acquired trailer and the license plate may be transferred by the original owner to the original owner's newly acquired trailer. The original owner is not subject to additional registration fees for the transfer of the license registration number under this subsection.

31
‑
3
‑
101.

Registration fees; exemptions.

(g)

Owners of the following vehicles are exempt from the payment of fees provided by subsections (a) and (b) of this section:

(v)

Trailers if permanently registered pursuant to W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
206(n) through (q).

31
‑
3
‑
103.

Distribution of fees; refunds.

(m)

Fifty percent (50%) of the permanent registration fee collected under W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
206(n) shall be distributed by county treasurers in the same proportion and manner as property taxes are distributed. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of the permanent registration fee collected under W.S. 31
‑
2
‑
206(n) shall be distributed to the highway fund.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2023
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1