HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESHB 2085
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed House:
February 19, 2020
Title: An act relating to creating Mount St. Helens special license plates.
Brief Description: Creating Mount St. Helens special license plates.
Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Orcutt and Blake).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 2/28/19 [DP], 1/15/20 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/13/19, 95-0.
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/19/20, 96-2.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill 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, Duerr, Dufault, Entenman, Eslick, Goehner, Gregerson, Irwin, Kloba, Lovick, McCaslin, Mead, Orcutt, Ortiz-Self, Paul, Ramos, Riccelli, Shewmake, Van Werven and Volz.
Staff: Christine Thomas (786-7142).
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 is 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.
Mount St. Helens Institute. The Mount St. Helens Institute is a 501(c)(3) private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance understanding and stewardship of the earth through science, education, and exploration of volcanic landscapes. The Mount St. Helens Institute was founded in 1996 and provides educational programming designed to increase visitors' understanding of Mount St. Helens, the youngest and most active volcano in the Pacific Northwest. Mount St. Helens is known for its major eruption on May 18, 1980.
Summary of Engrossed Substitute 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: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2020.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
See House Bill Report in 2019 Legislative Session.
Persons Testifying: See House Bill Report in 2019 Legislative Session.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: See House Bill Report in 2019 Legislative Session.