FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2062

C 384 L 19

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Creating Seattle Storm special license plates to fund youth leadership and sports programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Slatter, Senn, Sells, Kilduff, Ryu, Peterson, Riccelli, Irwin, Walen and Tarleton.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues special vehicle license plates that may be used in lieu of standard plates. An organization seeking to sponsor a special license plate must be a nonprofit organization, a professional sports franchise working in conjunction with a nonprofit organization, or a government agency. The sponsoring organization may choose one of two ways of creating a special license plate.

Application Process and Legislation. In this method, a sponsoring organization submits an application to the DOL prior to pursuing legislation. The application packet must include the design of the special license plate, proof of 3,500 signatures in support of the special license plate, and the start-up fee of $6,300. After the DOL approves the application, the sponsoring organization must pursue legislation to create the special license plate.

Legislation Without the Department of Licensing's Review. In this method, a sponsoring organization pursues legislation without applying to the DOL first. Once the bill is enacted, the sponsoring organization must provide the design of the special license plate and the start-up fee of $6,300 to the DOL within 30 days.

In both methods, if the sponsoring organization can prove that they are unable to provide the start-up fee up front, then revenues from the sale of the special license plate will be used to pay this fee. On an annual basis, the sponsoring organization must submit a financial report to the DOL detailing actual revenues from the sale of the special license plate. The DOL compiles these reports and presents them to the transportation committees of the Legislature.

The DOL collects special license plate fees and, for administrative expenses, retains an amount not to exceed $12 for new plate issuance and $2 for renewal of the plate. The State Treasurer then deposits the remaining proceeds into the Motor Vehicle Account until the DOL determines that the start-up fee of $6,300 is paid. Once the start-up fee is paid, the State Treasurer credits the remaining special license plate proceeds into an account specified for the sponsoring organization.

Summary:

The Seattle Storm special license plate is created with the purpose of providing funds to the Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) and the Association of Washington Generals. Of the annual net proceeds derived from the sale of the Seattle Storm special license plates, $25,000 will be provided to the LYAC or its successor organization, and the remaining net proceeds will be provided to the Association of Washington Generals for the purpose of providing grants to support and enhance athletic, recreational, and other opportunities for women and girls, especially those with disabilities. In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application for a vehicle registration, a fee of $40 is charged for the original issuance of a Seattle Storm special license plate, and a $30 fee is charged for the renewal of the plate.

Votes on Final Passage: