FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2312

C 69 L 12

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Making military service award emblems available for purchase.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Zeiger, Clibborn, Armstrong, Ladenburg, Hargrove, Billig, Dammeier, Orwall, Bailey, Takko, Finn, Asay, Smith, Tharinger, Kelley, Pearson, Miloscia and Moscoso).

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

Veterans discharged under honorable conditions and individuals serving on active duty in the United States armed forces may purchase a veterans remembrance emblem or campaign medal emblem for display on license plates. Veterans and active duty military personnel who served during periods of war or armed conflict may purchase a remembrance emblem depicting campaign ribbons which they were awarded.

Veterans or active duty military personnel requesting a veteran remembrance emblem or campaign medal emblem must pay a prescribed fee set by the Department of Licensing (Department), show proof of eligibility, and be the legal or registered owner of the vehicle on which the emblem is to be displayed.

The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree to be above those required for all other United States combat decorations but not meeting the criteria for the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Navy Cross (Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) and the Air Force Cross (Air Force).

The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration and is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. The Silver Star may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the armed forces, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism.

The Bronze Star is the fourth-highest combat award of the United States armed forces. It may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism.

The Department must set fees for veterans remembrance and campaign medal emblems in an amount sufficient to offset the costs of production of the emblems and the administration of that program by the Department plus an amount for use by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The fee for each emblem may not exceed $25. Funds provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs may be used for projects that pay tribute to those living veterans and to those who have died defending freedom in the nation's wars and conflicts and for the upkeep and operations of existing memorials, as well as for planning, acquiring land for, and constructing future memorials.

Summary:

Veterans discharged under honorable conditions and individuals serving on active duty in the United States armed forces may purchase a military service award emblem for display on license plates.

The following military service award emblems will be made available: Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star medal, and Bronze Star medal.

Veterans or active duty military personnel requesting a military service award emblem must pay a prescribed fee set by the Department, show proof of eligibility, and be the legal or registered owner of the vehicle on which the emblem is to be displayed.

Fees for military service award emblems are subject to the same requirements as fees for veterans remembrance and campaign medal emblems.

Votes on Final Passage: