AN ACT Relating to centennial commemorative license plates and centennial activity funding; reenacting and amending RCW 27.60.060; adding new sections to chapter 46.16 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 27.60 RCW; creating a new section; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is the intent of the legislature in adopting sections 2 through 6 of this act to provide revenues for the support of local and state activities commemorating the 1989 centennial of Washington's admission to the Union, and to help publicize the centennial celebration through widespread use of commemorative license plates.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any motor vehicle may, upon application and acceptance in the manner described in RCW 46.16.040, be issued special centennial commemorative license plates in lieu of the regular license plates, commencing with the January 1988 renewal month through the December 1989 renewal month. In addition to all other fees required by law, each applicant shall pay a fee of twenty dollars, which additional fee shall entitle the applicant to centennial commemorative license plates. However, the director may issue the special commemorative license plates to vehicles exempted under RCW 46.16.020 without payment of the additional twenty-dollar fee.

The centennial commemorative license plates shall be designed by the department of licensing, with the approval of and using the logo adopted by the 1989 Washington centennial commission.

The registration numbers and letters for regular, personalized, and centennial commemorative license plates shall be assigned by the department of licensing in accordance with the department's established procedures.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:

In the event of loss, defacement, or destruction of one or both of the centennial commemorative license plates prior to December 31, 1989, the owner of the vehicle for which the plates were issued may apply for replacement centennial commemorative license plates as prescribed under RCW 46.16.270. In the event of loss, defacement, or destruction of one or both of the centennial commemorative license plates after December 31, 1989, the owner of the vehicle for which the plates were issued shall apply for regular vehicle license number plates or plate as prescribed under RCW 46.16.270.

The centennial commemorative license plates are not subject to replacement in January 1989 under RCW 46.16.275. However, the centennial commemorative license plates are subject to replacement when the plates are five years old or older.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:

All revenue derived from the fee provided for in section 2 of this act shall be forwarded to the state treasurer and be deposited to the credit of the centennial fund.

Administrative costs incurred by the department of licensing as a direct result of section 2 of this act shall be appropriated by the legislature from the centennial fund from those moneys deposited therein resulting from the sale of centennial commemorative license plates. If the actual costs incurred by the department are less than the amount appropriated by the legislature, the remainder shall revert to the centennial fund.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 27.60 RCW to read as follows:

After deducting the amounts appropriated to the department of licensing under section 4 of this act, the remaining moneys in the centennial fund derived from the sale of centennial commemorative license plates under section 2 of this act shall be distributed by the 1989 Washington centennial commission as provided in this section.

One-half of the moneys shall be distributed to the respective county centennial commissions or committees, as designated by the respective county legislative authorities. Distribution of such moneys shall be made by the 1989 Washington centennial commission according to rules adopted by the commission. The rules shall provide for distribution to the respective counties on the basis of the number of centennial commemorative license plates issued for vehicles registered in those counties. However, the commission may establish minimum amounts to be distributed to those counties with small populations, regardless of the number of centennial commemorative license plates issued in those counties.

An amount of moneys equal to that distributed to the county centennial committees shall be used for the funding of projects deemed by the commission to be of state-wide significance, in accordance with rules adopted by the commission.

Sec. 6. Section 2, chapter 120, Laws of 1984 as amended by section 8, chapter 57, Laws of 1985 and by section 3, chapter 291, Laws of 1985 and RCW 27.60.060 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

Subject to existing state law, the commission may disburse legislatively appropriated funds for commemorative programs and activities. It may accept gifts or grants from public or private sources and deposit the same in the centennial fund which is hereby created in the custody of the state treasurer. It may generate earned income through contractual licensing of its symbol and other centennial-related identification and insignia for use in commercially manufactured commemorative products and through other activities, or grant use of the symbol in recognition of services provided, and deposit the same in the centennial fund. Legislative appropriation is required for the disbursement of moneys in the centennial fund, except for those moneys derived from the sale of centennial commemorative license plates under section 2 of this 1986 act and gifts or grants deposited in the centennial fund for use by the commission in the support of commemorative programs and activities defined but not limited by RCW 27.60.040. Funds not expended by December 31, ((~~1990~~)) 1993, shall be deposited in the general fund. ((~~All earnings of investments of balances in the centennial commission account shall be credited to the general fund.~~))

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 5 of this act shall expire on December 31, 1993.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.