DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING

[Filed December 17, 2019, 9:02 a.m.]

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 308-96A-545 Gold Star license plates.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: SB 5085 (2015) and SHB 1197 (2019) expanded the qualified applicants for a Gold Star license plate to include siblings and modified what licensing fees are paid by the qualified applicants, based on the applicant's relationship. This amendment updates agency rules to reflect these changes in the law.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: This amendment updates the qualified applicants for a Gold Star license plate to reflect current law.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.01.110, 46.18.020.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 46.18.245.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: Department of licensing, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Kyle Strozyk, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98507, 360-902-3998.

Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: None.

This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited adoption process for these rules:

Content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.

Have been the subject of negotiated rule making, pilot rule making, or some other process that involved substantial participation by interested parties before the development of the proposed rule.

Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: This amendment is making clerical changes only to follow state statute and recent legislation.

THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Kyle Strozyk, Department of Licensing, P.O. Box 9030, Olympia, WA 98507-9030, phone 360-902-3998, fax 360-570-7827, email kstrozyk@dol.wa.gov, AND RECEIVED BY February 19, 2020.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 15-10-005, filed 4/22/15, effective 5/23/15)

WAC 308-96A-545Gold Star license plate.

(1) What is a Gold Star license plate? The Gold Star license plate recognizes the eligible family members of United States armed forces members who have died while in service to their country or as a result of such service.

(2) Who qualifies as an eligible family member of a member of the United States armed forces? Eligible family members are listed in RCW 46.18.245. For purposes of this section, a widow or widower includes the surviving member of a registered domestic partnership.

(3) ((What is required to purchase a Gold Star plate? A copy of the certification letter to a qualifying widow, widower, parent, or child provided by the Washington state department of veterans affairs (WDVA) is required. The letter will be used in addition to a special plate application to purchase the plate. No other documentation is required.

(4)))Can a Gold Star plate be transferred to a new owner? No. The plate may only be transferred to a vehicle owned by the same registered owner ((who was certified as a qualifying widow, widower, parent, or child by WDVA. The plate cannot be transferred to a different registered owner)). If the ((widow, widower, parent, or child))qualified applicant transfers the plate to a new ((car))motor vehicle registered to them, they are required to pay the plate transfer fee.

(((5) What fees are required to purchase the plate? There is no special plate fee or special plate renewal fee for the Gold Star plate. The registered owner must pay all licensing and filing fees.

(6)))(4)Can a Gold Star plate ((background)) be personalized? Yes. A Gold Star plate ((background)) can be personalized((; however,)). The customer is required to pay all fees associated with a personalized plate original purchase or renewal.

(((7) Is a commercial vehicle eligible for a Gold Star plate as long as it is in the name of the qualifying widow, widower, parent, or child and not a business name? Yes.

(8)))(5) Can I use a Gold Star plate on a commercial vehicle? Yes, provided the commercial vehicle is owned by a qualified applicant.

(6)Can a prorated vehicle display a Gold Star plate if the vehicle is under the name of the ((widow, widower, parent, or child))qualified applicant that is eligible for this plate? No per chapter 46.87 RCW.