SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5571

As Passed Senate, January 30, 2002

Title:  An act relating to Future Farmers of America license plates.

Brief Description:  Authorizing Future Farmers of America license plates.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Sheahan, Rasmussen, Hochstatter, T. Sheldon, Hewitt, Rossi, Honeyford, Parlette, Stevens and Roach).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/7/01, 2/22/01 [DPS].

Passed Senate:  3/10/01, 48-0; 1/30/02, 46-1.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5571 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Benton, Eide, Horn, Jacobsen, Kastama, McDonald, Oke, Prentice, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Staff:  Michael Groesch (786‑7434)

Background:  Future Farmers of America (FFA) is a national organization with 449,814 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.  Students lead FFA at the local, state and national levels.  FFA's mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Summary of Bill:  A specialized license plate depicting an FFA design is created.  The Department of Licensing (DOL), the Washington State Patrol and the Washington State Association of Future Farmers of America jointly create and design the FFA plate.

The FFA license fees account is created in the state treasury.  All receipts from the FFA license plate fees are deposited into that account.  Money in the account may only be spent on programs and scholarships within the FFA organization and its chapters.  On a yearly basis, FFA selects the programs and scholarships to be funded from this account.

Effective with registrations due January 1, 2003, the initial fee for an FFA plate is $40.  DOL may deduct up to $12 from that amount for administration and collection expenses associated with the plate.  Effective with registrations due January 1, 2004, the fee for an FFA plate is $30.  DOL may collect up to $2 from that amount for administration and collections expenses.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The FFA is a great program for students.  This bill is a good funding source for the organization and will partially make up for some state funding that has been lost.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Sheahan, prime sponsor; Bethany Thompson, Washington State FFA; Celeste Buechel, North Thurston FFA; Moran Irwin, Enumclaw FFA; Lynda Henriksen, Department of Licensing (no position).