S-1775

AN ACT Relating to salmon species enrichment license plates; amending RCW 46.16.313, 46.16.233, and 46.16.290; adding a new section to chapter 46.16 RCW; and adding new sections to chapter 75.46 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:

The department, the Washington state patrol, and the department of fish and wildlife shall jointly create, design, and issue a special salmon license plate that may be used in lieu of regular or personalized license plates for motor vehicles required to display two motor vehicle license plates, excluding vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW, upon terms and conditions established by the department. The special plates will observe the importance of salmonid to Washington state and help fund the restoration of salmon and steelhead species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 75.46 RCW to read as follows:

The salmon species enrichment license fees account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from salmon species enrichment license fees, less the administration and collection costs incurred by the department under RCW 46.16.313 (6) and (7) must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the preservation, protection, perpetuation, and enhancement of salmon species.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 75.46 RCW to read as follows:

(1) On an annual basis, the department of fish and wildlife shall solicit, from the public and private sector, proposed salmon preservation, protection, perpetuation, and enhancement projects and prioritize projects it recommends for funding from the salmon species enrichment license fees account by giving preference to projects that:

(a) Provide a greater benefit to salmon recovery;

(b) Will be implemented in a more critical area;

(d) Have the greatest matched or in-kind funding; and

(e) Will be implemented by a sponsor with a successful record of implementation.

(2) In selecting such projects, the department shall attempt to assure a geographical balance in assigning priorities to projects.

(3) On an annual basis, the department shall report to the legislature on its selection process and the projects recommended for funding. The legislature, in its sole discretion, shall select and make appropriations for salmon preservation, protection, perpetuation, and enhancement projects from the salmon species enrichment license fees account.

(4) The department may adopt rules necessary to implement this section.

Sec. 4. RCW 46.16.313 and 1997 c 291 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department may establish a fee for each type of special license plates issued under RCW 46.16.301(1) (a), (b), or (c), as existing before amendment by section 5, chapter 291, Laws of 1997, in an amount calculated to offset the cost of production of the special license plates and the administration of this program. Until December 31, 1997, the fee shall not exceed thirty-five dollars, but effective with vehicle registrations due or to become due on January 1, 1998, the department may adjust the fee to no more than forty dollars. This fee is in addition to all other fees required to register and license the vehicle for which the plates have been requested. All such additional special license plate fees collected by the department shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the motor vehicle fund.

(2) ((Until December 31, 1997, in addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application, registration, and renewal registration of a motor vehicle, the holder of a collegiate license plate shall pay a fee of thirty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed two dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The remaining proceeds, minus the cost of plate production, shall be remitted to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying detailed report. The state treasurer shall credit the funds to the appropriate collegiate license plate fund as provided in RCW 28B.10.890.

~~(3) Effective with vehicle registrations due or to become due on January 1, 1998,~~)) In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application and registration of a motor vehicle, the holder of a collegiate license plate shall pay an initial fee of forty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed twelve dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The remaining proceeds shall be remitted to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying detailed report. The state treasurer shall credit the funds to the appropriate collegiate license plate fund as provided in RCW 28B.10.890.

((~~(4) Effective with annual renewals due or to become due on January 1, 1999,~~)) (3) In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon renewal of a motor vehicle registration, the holder of a collegiate license plate shall pay a fee of thirty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed two dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The remaining proceeds shall be remitted to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying detailed report. The state treasurer shall credit the funds to the appropriate collegiate license plate fund as provided in RCW 28B.10.890.

((~~(5)~~)) (4) In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application and registration of a motor vehicle, the holder of a special baseball stadium license plate shall pay an initial fee of forty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed twelve dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The remaining proceeds, minus the cost of plate production, shall be distributed to a county for the purpose of paying the principal and interest payments on bonds issued by the county to construct a baseball stadium, as defined in RCW 82.14.0485, including reasonably necessary preconstruction costs, while the taxes are being collected under RCW 82.14.360. After this date, the state treasurer shall credit the funds to the state general fund.

((~~(6) Effective with annual renewals due or to become due on January 1, 1999,~~)) (5) In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon renewal of a motor vehicle registration, the holder of a special baseball stadium license plate shall pay a fee of thirty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed two dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The remaining proceeds shall be distributed to a county for the purpose of paying the principal and interest payments on bonds issued by the county to construct a baseball stadium, as defined in RCW 82.14.0485, including reasonably necessary preconstruction costs, while the taxes are being collected under RCW 82.14.360. After this date, the state treasurer shall credit the funds to the state general fund.

(6) Effective with vehicle registrations due or to become due on January 1, 2000, in addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application and registration of a motor vehicle, the holder of a salmon license plate shall pay an initial fee of forty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed twelve dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The department shall remit the remaining proceeds to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying detailed report. The state treasurer shall credit the funds to the salmon species enrichment license fees account.

(7) Effective with annual renewals due or to become due on January 1, 2000, in addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon renewal of a motor vehicle registration, the holder of a salmon license plate shall pay a fee of thirty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed two dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The department shall remit the remaining proceeds to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying detailed report. The state treasurer shall credit the funds to the salmon species enrichment license fees account.

Sec. 5. RCW 46.16.233 and 1997 c 291 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Except for those license plates issued under RCW 46.16.305(1) before January 1, 1987, under RCW 46.16.305(3), under section 1 of this act, and to commercial vehicles with a gross weight in excess of twenty-six thousand pounds, effective with vehicle registrations due or to become due on January 1, 2001, all vehicle license plates must be issued on a standard background, as designated by the department. Additionally, to ensure maximum legibility and reflectivity, the department shall periodically provide for the replacement of license plates. Frequency of replacement shall be established in accordance with empirical studies documenting the longevity of the reflective materials used to make license plates.

Sec. 6. RCW 46.16.290 and 1997 c 291 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

In any case of a valid sale or transfer of the ownership of any vehicle, the right to the certificates properly transferable therewith, except as provided in RCW 46.16.280, and to the vehicle license plates passes to the purchaser or transferee. It is unlawful for the holder of such certificates, except as provided in RCW 46.16.280, or vehicle license plates to fail, neglect, or refuse to endorse the certificates and deliver the vehicle license plates to the purchaser or transferee. If the sale or transfer is of a vehicle licensed by the state or any county, city, town, school district, or other political subdivision entitled to exemption as provided by law, or, if the vehicle is licensed with personalized plates, amateur radio operator plates, medal of honor plates, disabled person plates, disabled veteran plates, prisoner of war plates, salmon plates, or other special license plates issued under RCW 46.16.301 as it existed before amendment by section 5, chapter 291, Laws of 1997, the vehicle license plates therefor shall be retained and may be displayed upon a vehicle obtained in replacement of the vehicle so sold or transferred.