HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5423

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Peterson, Metcalf, Patterson, Johnson, Garrett and Bender)

Reinstating special consular license plates.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (26)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Brough, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, Dellwo, Doty, Fisher, Gallagher, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Kremen, Meyers, Prince, Schmidt, C. Smith, D. Sommers, Spanel, Sutherland, Todd, Vekich, J. Williams, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 17, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Until last year the Department of Licensing (DOL) issued special license plates to honorary consuls.  (An honorary consul is a citizen or resident of the United States who has been appointed by a foreign government to represent the country, and has been accepted as an official representative by the U.S. Department of State.) The annual vehicle registration fee and excise tax were imposed, as well as a one-time $25 special plate fee.  The plates were distinguished by the letters "DC" followed by four numerals.  In some areas free parking is afforded to holders of honorary consul plates.

The authorization to issue these plates was repealed in 1986 based upon a misunderstanding of the U.S. State Department's decision to have all consul plates issued on the national level and to cease to recognize honorary consuls.  Prior to this decision, DOL issued both consul and honorary consul plates.  Because honorary consuls were no longer recognized on the national level, it was assumed that the State Department was recommending that the states no longer issue honorary plates.  This issue has since been clarified and the issuance of honorary consul plates is left to the discretion of the individual states.

An honorary consul serves in the same capacity as a consul, but without full compensation.  Consuls are important as trade and commerce contacts.  Of the 30 consular offices in Seattle, 23 are honorary.

SUMMARY:

An honorary consul, or official representative of a foreign government who is a citizen or resident of the United States, who holds a license issued by the U.S. Department of State is eligible to receive honorary consul plates issued by the Department of Licensing.

Payment of the annual vehicle registration fee and excise tax is required. The former one-time special plate fee is not imposed.  If the plates are transferred to another vehicle, the consul must immediately notify the department.  Plates that are removed but not transferred to another vehicle are to be returned to the department to be destroyed.  When an honorary consul or official representative is relieved of his/her duties, the plates are to be returned to the department and regular plates are issued.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    William Asbury, Office of International Relations; Ford E. Smith, Vice Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Consul of Guatemala.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Issuance of the honorary consul plates shows the consuls the importance Washington State places on international relationships and trade.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.