HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1647
As Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
Title: An act relating to creating keep Washington evergreen special license plates.
Brief Description: Creating keep Washington evergreen special license plates.
Sponsors: Representatives Chapman and Lekanoff.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 2/6/23, 2/9/23 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Creates the Keep Washington Evergreen special license plate and directs the Department of Licensing to create, design, and issue the license plate.
  • Establishes original and renewal fees for the special license plate.
  • Directs proceeds from the special license plate to the Electric Vehicle Account to support electric charging stations throughout Washington.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by 28 members:Representatives Fey, Chair; Donaghy, Vice Chair; Paul, Vice Chair; Timmons, Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Hutchins, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Low, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Robertson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Berry, Bronoske, Chapman, Cortes, Dent, Doglio, Duerr, Entenman, Goehner, Griffey, Hackney, Klicker, Mena, Orcutt, Ramel, Ramos, Schmidt, Taylor, Volz and Wylie.
Minority Report: Without recommendation.Signed by 1 member:Representative Walsh.
Staff: Michael Hirsch (786-7195).
Background:

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

 

The DOL collects special license plate fees and, for administrative expenses, deducts an amount not to exceed $12 for new license 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 the specified account.
Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Keep Washington Evergreen special license plate is created.  The DOL must create, design, and issue the license plate.  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 Keep Washington Evergreen special license plate, and a $30 fee is charged for the renewal of the special license plate.  Revenue from the sale of the special license plates will be deposited in the Electric Vehicle Account to provide funds to support electric charging stations throughout Washington.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill removes the incorrect reference to the state motto.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect on November 1, 2023.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) People like the look of the traditional green and white plates.  The Oregon reissue of an earlier vehicle license plate design had support.  This special vehicle license plate generates money for the state to support electric vehicles.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Mike Chapman, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.