HB 2085

Brief Description: Creating Mount St. Helens special license plates.

Sponsors: Representatives Orcutt and Blake.

Hearing Date: 2/28/19

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. An organization seeking to sponsor a special license plate must be a nonprofit

organization, a professional sports franchise working in conjunction with a nonprofit

organization, or a government agency. The sponsoring organization may choose one of two

ways of creating a special license plate.

Application Process and Legislation. In this method, a sponsoring organization submits an

application to the DOL prior to pursuing legislation. The application packet must include the

design of the special license plate, proof of 3,500 signatures in support of the special license

plate, and the start-up fee of $6,300. After the DOL approves the application, the sponsoring

organization must pursue legislation to create the special license plate.

Legislation Without the Department of Licensing's Review. In this method, a sponsoring

organization pursues legislation without applying to the DOL first. Once the bill is enacted, the

sponsoring organization must provide the design of the special license plate and the start-up fee

of $6,300 to the DOL within 30 days.

In both methods, if the sponsoring organization can prove that they are unable to provide the

start-up fee up front, then revenues from the sale of the special license plate will be used to pay

this fee. On an annual basis, the sponsoring organization must submit a financial report to the

DOL detailing actual revenues from the sale of the special license plate. The DOL compiles

these reports and presents them to the transportation committees of the Legislature.

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

that the start-up fee for a special license plate are paid. Once the start-up fee is paid, the State

Treasurer credits the remaining special license plate fee amounts into an account specified for the

sponsoring organization.

Summary of Bill:

The Mount St. Helens special license plate is created with the purpose of providing funds to the Mount St. Helens Institute to promote education, stewardship, and science at Mount St. Helens. In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application for a vehicle registration, a fee of $40 is charged for the original issuance of a Mount St. Helens special license plate, and a $30 fee is charged for the renewal of the plate.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 18, 2019.

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