SB 5000-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 3/15/99)

     Directs the department, the Washington state patrol, and the department of fish and wildlife to jointly create, design, and issue a special salmon license plate that may be used in lieu of regular or personalized license plates for motor vehicles required to display two motor vehicle license plates, excluding vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW, upon terms and conditions established by the department.  The special plates will observe the importance of salmonid to Washington state and help fund the restoration of salmon and steelhead species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.

     Creates the salmon species enrichment license fees account in the state treasury.  All receipts from salmon species enrichment license fees, less the administration and collection costs incurred by the department under RCW 46.16.313 (6) and (7) must be deposited into the account.  Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation.  Expenditures from the account may be used only for the preservation, protection, perpetuation, education, and enhancement of salmon species.

     Provides that, on an annual basis, the department of fish and wildlife shall solicit, from the public and private sector, proposed salmon preservation, protection, perpetuation, and enhancement projects and prioritize projects it recommends for funding from the salmon species enrichment license fees account.

     Designates registration fees for the special plates.