Washington: Dean Takko

That's one of the things that House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, told reporters at last Thursday's media availability. That support comes from members of the 62-member Democratic caucus, he said.

There are two bills, SB 5816 and HB 1939, that would let auto dealers collect a higher fee -- $150 instead of the current $50 -- for handling all the paperwork associated with the purchase of a vehicle. One of Chopp's Democratic caucus members, Rep. Dean Takko, is the prime sponsor of one of them.

Both bills were advanced by their respective transportation committees, House and Senate, last week.

Here is the bill report for House Bill 1939, the house version of the measure to raise the document fee to $150.