Brief Description: Authorizing the "Washington Lighthouses" special plate.

Sponsors: Senators Haugen, Swecker, Jacobsen, Hargrove and Doumit.

Hearing Date: 3/21/05

Staff: Teresa Berntsen (786-7301).

Background:

The Legislature created the Special License Plate Review Board (Board) in the 2003 session to review special vehicle license plate applications from governmental or nonprofit organizations in Washington. The Board must verify the organization and proposed plate meet criteria set by state law, and then forwards the approved application to the Legislature.

On September 10, 2004, the board formally approved the Lighthouse Environmental Programs "Washington Lighthouses" license plate application.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) must issue a special license plate for motor vehicles displaying a symbol or artwork approved by the Special License Plate Review Board and the legislature recognizing an organization which supports selected Washington State lighthouses and environmental education programs.

An applicant for a "Washington Lighthouses" license plate must pay an initial fee of $40 and a renewal fee each year thereafter of $30. The initial revenue generated from the plate sales must be deposited into the motor vehicle account until the state has been reimbursed for the implementation costs. Upon reimbursement, the revenue must be deposited into the Lighthouse Environmental Programs account established under this bill.

The DOL must enter into a contract with a qualified nonprofit organization requiring that the organization use the revenue generated by the license plate sales to disseminate funds for supporting selected Washington State lighthouses that are accessible to the public and staffed by volunteers; to provide environmental education programs; and to provide grants for other Washington lighthouses to assist in funding infrastructure preservation and restoration and to encourage and support interpretive programs by lighthouse docents.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.