SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1830

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Transportation, February 25, 2016

Title: An act relating to Washington state wrestling special license plates.

Brief Description: Creating Washington state wrestling special license plates.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representative Muri).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/10/15, 91-7; 2/12/16, 91-4.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/24/16, 2/25/16 [DP, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators King, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair, Budget; Hobbs, Ranking Minority Member; Cleveland, Litzow, Miloscia, Rivers, Sheldon and Takko.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators Liias, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle and Jayapal.

Staff: Kellee Keegan (786-7429)

Background: The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues special vehicle license plates that may be used in lieu of standard plates. A governmental or nonprofit sponsoring organization seeking to sponsor a special plate either submits an application to the DOL or requests legislation to create the special plate. The sponsoring organization seeking to sponsor the special plate is required to reimburse the DOL for the costs of establishing the new special plate. There was a moratorium on the issuance of new special plates by the DOL that was lifted on July 1, 2015.

For special license plates that are enacted by the Legislature, a sponsoring organization must, within 30 days of enactment, submit prepayment of all start-up costs to the DOL. If the sponsoring organization is not able to meet the prepayment requirement, revenues generated from the sale of the special license plate are first used to pay off any costs associated with establishing the new plate. The sponsoring organization must also provide a proposed license plate design to the DOL. Additionally, the sponsoring organization must submit an annual financial report to the DOL detailing actual revenues generated from the sale of the special license plate. The reports are reviewed, approved, and presented to the Joint Transportation Committee.

The DOL collects special license plate fees and, for administrative expenses, deducts an amount not to exceed $12 for new 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 the start-up costs for a special license plate are paid.

Summary of Bill: The bill creates the Washington State Wrestling special license plate, which promotes and supports college wrestling in Washington. In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application for a vehicle registration, a fee of $40 would be charged for a Washington State Wrestling special license plate and a $30 fee is charged for renewal of the plate.

After the costs associated with establishing the special license plates are recovered, funds would go to the Washington State Wrestling Foundation to fund new and existing college wrestling programs.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2017.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Washington State has many opportunities for wrestling at the youth and high school levels, but there are no opportunities at the four-year college level and only two at the junior college level. This bill will help keep wrestling athletes in the state for college.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Dick Muri, Prime Sponsor; Phillip Pine, Washington State Wrestling Foundation, Director.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.