Brief Summary of Bill

Allows Washington residents who are veterans of Allied Forces and were discharged under honorable conditions to apply for and receive Allied Forces veteran remembrance emblems for display on license plates.
Requires the Department of Licensing to create and make available Allied Forces veteran remembrance emblems.
Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to certify an applicant's Allied Forces veteran status.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 30 members: Representatives Fey, Chair; Wylie, 1st Vice Chair; Slatter, 2nd Vice Chair; Valdez, 2nd Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Young, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Boehnke, Chambers, Chapman, Dent, Doglio, Dufault, Entenman, Eslick, Goehner, Gregerson, Irwin, Kloba, Lovick, McCaslin, Mead, Orcutt, Ortiz-Self, Pellicciotti, Ramos, Riccelli, Shea, Shewmake and Van Werven.

Background:

United States veterans discharged under honorable conditions and individuals serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces may purchase a veteran remembrance emblem or campaign medal emblem for display on license plates. United States veterans and active duty military personnel who served during periods of war or armed conflict may purchase a remembrance emblem depicting campaign ribbons which they were awarded.

Veterans or active duty military personnel requesting a veteran remembrance emblem or campaign medal emblem must pay a prescribed fee set by the Department of Licensing (DOL), show proof of eligibility, and be the legal or registered owner of the vehicle on which the emblem is to be displayed. Eligibility can be proven through: (1) providing a DD-214 or discharge papers if the applicant is a veteran; (2) providing a copy of orders awarding a campaign ribbon if the applicant is serving on military active duty; (3) providing a copy of orders awarding a military service award; or (4) attesting in a notarized affidavit.

The DOL must set fees for veteran remembrance and campaign medal emblems in an amount sufficient to offset the costs of production of the emblems and the administration of that program by the DOL, plus an amount for use by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). The fee for each emblem may not exceed $25. Funds provided to the DVA may be used for projects that pay tribute to living veterans and to veterans who have died defending freedom in the nation's wars and conflicts, for the upkeep and operations of existing memorials, and for planning, acquiring land for, and constructing future memorials.

Allied Forces are military forces of other countries that are or were allies to and supported the United States during periods of war or armed conflict. Veterans of Allied Forces who are now Washington residents are not eligible to receive veteran remembrance emblems or campaign medal emblems, as part of the qualification is showing proof of United States military service.

Summary of Bill:

Washington residents who are veterans of Allied Forces and were discharged under honorable conditions may apply for and receive Allied Forces veteran remembrance emblems for display on license plates. The DOL is required to create and make available an Allied Forces veteran remembrance emblem, and the DVA is required to provide the certification of an applicant's Allied Forces veteran status. Allied Forces veterans requesting an Allied Forces veteran remembrance emblem must pay a prescribed fee set by the DOL and provide certification from the DVA that they qualify for the emblem.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) In the Vietnam War and in other conflicts, soldiers of other nations fought alongside United States soldiers and supported the United States' efforts. In particular, many Korean soldiers provided support to the United States in the Vietnam War and are classified as Korean Augmentation To the United States Army (KATUSA). Soldiers classified as KATUSA were not serving for the United States Army, but instead were serving in support of the United States Army, and are therefore considered members of the Allied Forces. In some cases, former KATUSA soldiers have emigrated the United States, but because they were not serving in the United States Army, they are not eligible for a lot of the services that United States veterans have access to, such as burial at a military cemetery and the ability to display a military veterans license plate. These new license plate emblems will recognize the service of and honor veterans of the United States' Allied Forces for the contributions they made to our country.

(Opposed) None.