FINAL BILL REPORT
EHB 2254
C 139 L 96
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Providing special plates and fee exemptions for representatives of foreign organizations.
Sponsors: Representatives Van Luven, Romero, Backlund, Scott, Foreman, Sheldon, Horn and Benton.
House Committee on Trade & Economic Development
Senate Committee on Transportation
Background: The Department of Licensing (DOL) is authorized to issue special license plates to every honorary consul or official representative of a foreign country, duly licensed and holding an exequatur issued by the U.S. Department of State. The applicant is required to pay the regular license fee and the motor vehicle excise tax before the special license plate is issued by the DOL.
Representatives of the government of Taiwan, through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, enjoy most of the privileges afforded to other foreign diplomatic residents. However, there are no provisions allowing the DOL to issue them special license plates.
Summary: The Department of Licensing (DOL) is authorized to issue special license plates for passenger vehicles that are owned or leased by officers of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. The applicant for a special license plate is exempt from payment of the regular license fees, the state motor vehicle excise tax, and any county vehicle license fees. The license plates must bear the words "Foreign Organization" to distinguish them from diplomatic license plates. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office is responsible for the entire cost of producing the special license plates.
The special license plates may be transferred to another vehicle, but the DOL must be notified of the transfer. License plates that are removed but not transferred to another vehicle are to be forwarded immediately to the DOL to be destroyed. When the owner or lessee is relieved of his or her duties, the license plates must be returned to the DOL and regular plates issued.
Votes on Final Passage:
House 96 0
Senate 46 0
Effective: June 6, 1996