HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2871

As Reported by House Committee On:

Transportation

Title: An act relating to changing the baseball stadium based special license plate.

Brief Description: Changing the baseball stadium based special license plate.

Sponsors: Representatives Pettigrew, Sawyer, Chapman and Buys.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 2/5/18, 2/6/18 [DP].

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Fey, Vice Chair; Wylie, Vice Chair; Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Harmsworth, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chapman, Gregerson, Hayes, Irwin, Kloba, Lovick, McBride, Morris, Ortiz-Self, Pellicciotti, Pike, Riccelli, Rodne, Shea, Stambaugh, Tarleton, Valdez, Van Werven and Young.

Staff: Patricia Hasan (786-7292).

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues special vehicle license plates that may be used in lieu of standard plates. A governmental or nonprofit sponsoring organization seeking to sponsor a special plate either submits an application to the DOL or requests legislation to create the special plate. The organization seeking to sponsor the special plate is required to reimburse the DOL for the costs of establishing the new special plate.

For special license plates that are authorized in statute, a sponsoring organization must submit prepayment of all start-up costs to the DOL within 30 days of enactment. If the sponsoring organization is not able to meet the prepayment requirement, revenues generated from the sale of the special license plate are first used to pay off any costs associated with establishing the new plate. The sponsoring organization must provide a proposed license plate design to the DOL. Additionally, the sponsoring organization must submit an annual financial report to the DOL detailing actual revenues generated from the sale of the special license plate. The reports are presented to, reviewed by, and approved by the Joint Transportation Committee.

The DOL collects special license plate fees and, for administrative expenses, deducts an amount not to exceed $12 for new plate issuance and $2 for renewal. After these expenses are paid, the State Treasurer deposits the proceeds into the Motor Vehicle Account until the DOL determines the start-up costs for a special license plate are paid. Once start-up costs for a special license plate are paid, the State Treasurer credits the remaining special license plate fee amounts into an account specified for the sponsoring organization.

In 1995 baseball stadium special license plates were authorized with the revenue dedicated to baseball stadium bond retirement. The bonds from the stadium were paid off in 2011. The net proceeds from the baseball stadium special license plates are currently deposited into the State General Fund.

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Summary of Bill:

The authorization for a baseball stadium special license plate is removed. A Seattle Mariners logo themed special license plate is created. The net proceeds from the Seattle Mariners special license plate will be distributed to InvestED to encourage secondary students who have economic needs to stay in school, return to school, or get involved within their learning community.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2019.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The Seattle Mariners special license plate is currently advertised as a baseball stadium special license plate. Bonds for the stadium were paid off and the revenues from the current plate are going into the State General Fund. This bill would allow the plate to be updated with the Mariners logo. The goal is to allow a special license plate for fans to continue, while shifting the generated revenue to an organization focused on youth sports activities.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Amber Carter, Seattle Mariners.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.