BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to special license plates; amending RCW 46.16.301 and 46.16.313; adding a new section to chapter 46.16 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 16 RCW; creating new sections; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 46.16.301 and 1994 c 194 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department may create, design, and issue special license plates that may be used in lieu of regular or personalized license plates for motor vehicles required to display two motor vehicle license plates, excluding vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW, upon terms and conditions established by the department. The special plates may:

(a) Denote the age or type of vehicle; or

(b) Denote special activities or interests; or

(c) Denote the status, or contribution or sacrifice for the United States, the state of Washington, or the citizens of the state of Washington, of a registered owner of that vehicle; or

(d) Display a depiction of the name and mascot or symbol of a state university, regional university, or state college as defined in RCW 28B.10.016; or

(e) Display a phrase or symbol, or both, supporting the animal population control program.

(2) The department has the sole discretion to determine whether or not to create, design, or issue any series of special license plates and whether any interest or status merits the issuance of a series of special license plates. In making this determination, the department shall consider whether or not an interest or status contributes or has contributed significantly to the public health, safety, or welfare of the citizens of the United States or of this state or to their significant benefit, or whether the interest or status is recognized by the United States, this state, or other states, in other settings or contexts. The department may also consider the potential number of persons who may be eligible for the plates and the cost and efficiency of producing limited numbers of the plates. The design of a special license plate shall conform to all requirements for plates for the type of vehicle for which it is issued, as provided elsewhere in this chapter.

Sec. 2. RCW 46.16.313 and 1994 c 194 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department may establish a fee for each type of special license plates issued under RCW 46.16.301(1) (a), (b), or (c) in an amount calculated to offset the cost of production of the special license plates and the administration of this program. The fee shall not exceed thirty-five dollars and is in addition to all other fees required to register and license the vehicle for which the plates have been requested. All such additional special license plate fees collected by the department shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the motor vehicle fund.

(2) In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application, registration, and renewal registration of a motor vehicle, the holder of a collegiate license plate shall pay a fee of thirty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed two dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The remaining proceeds, minus the cost of plate production, shall be remitted to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying detailed report. The state treasurer shall credit the funds to the appropriate collegiate license plate fund as provided in RCW 28B.10.890.

(3) In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application and registration of a motor vehicle, the holder of an animal population control license plate shall pay a fee of thirty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed two dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses it incurs. The remaining proceeds, minus the cost of plate production, shall be remitted to the custody of the state treasurer for deposit in the animal population control account, created in section 4 of this act. This account shall be administered by the secretary of state as provided in section 4 of this act.

(4) In addition to any other fees and taxes required to be paid, the applicant for renewal of animal population control plates shall be charged an additional fee of ten dollars. All animal population control plates must be renewed on an annual basis, regardless of whether a vehicle on which they are displayed will not be driven on public highways.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, as used in this chapter "animal population control license plates" means license plates that display a depiction of an animal and an accompanying slogan. Animal population control license plates must contain numbers and letters not exceeding seven positions as assigned by the department.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The animal population control account is established in the state treasury. All receipts from animal population control license plates authorized under RCW 46.16.313 shall be deposited in the account. The account may contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the fund and shall be held by the treasurer separate and apart from all other moneys, funds, and accounts. Interest earnings generated from this account shall remain in the account. Any balance remaining in the account at the end of a fiscal biennium shall be carried forward in the account for the next successive biennium.

(2) The secretary may solicit and accept donations from any public or private source to help carry out the goals of the animal population control program.

(3) Revenue collected under RCW 46.16.313 and sections 4 through 9 of this act shall be used by the secretary solely for the implementation and promotion of the program and for costs associated with administering the animal population control program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The secretary of state shall establish an animal population control program to provide for low-cost spaying and neutering services to eligible owners of dogs and cats. The secretary shall adopt rules necessary to implement the program in accordance with this chapter, and the adopted rules shall ensure that no spaying or neutering is conducted under this program unless sufficient funds exist in the animal population control account to reimburse participating veterinarians.

(2) To the extent funds are available, the secretary of state shall reimburse veterinarians licensed under chapter 18.92 RCW for the spaying of a dog or cat, if the owner of the dog or cat is a Washington resident and is eligible for one of the following:

(a) The federal Food Stamp program;

(b) The federal Supplemental Security Income program;

(d) The state of Washington aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A person who submits a dog or cat for spaying or neutering under the animal population control program, established under section 5 of this act, shall:

(1) Furnish the veterinarian with proof that the owner of the dog or cat is eligible under section 5 of this act;

(2) Sign a consent form stating that the person is the owner of the dog or cat, or is authorized by the owner to submit the dog or cat for spaying or neutering.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. (1) The secretary shall reimburse the veterinarian upon the submission of an animal sterilization certificate, to be prescribed by the secretary and signed by the participating veterinarian and the owner of the animal to be sterilized.

(2) To the extent funds are available from the animal population control account, the secretary may reimburse a participating veterinarian for the presurgical immunization of dogs against rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus, or the presurgical immunization of cats against feline panleukopenia, calici, pneumonitis, and rhinotracheitis, as the case may be, on animals not previously immunized. In order to qualify for the reimbursement, the owner of the animal being spayed or neutered under the program shall submit a written certificate signed by the veterinarian performing the operation and by the owner, stating that the animal has been immunized coincident with a spaying or neutering operation under the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. If a person who submits a cat or dog for spaying or neutering to a participating veterinarian fails to retrieve the cat or dog within the time recommended by the participating veterinarian, the veterinarian may transfer custody of the dog or cat to a canine control officer, regional animal control officer, or a municipal animal control officer.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A person who knowingly:

(1) Falsifies proof of eligibility for, or participation in, any of the programs enumerated in section 5 of this act; or

(2) Furnishes a participating veterinarian with inaccurate information concerning the ownership of an animal submitted for spaying or neutering; or

(3) Furnishes the secretary with false information concerning a sterilization certificate or immunization certificate submitted under the animal population control program; or

(4) Violates in any other manner the provisions of sections 4 through 7 of this act or rules adopted under section 5 of this act,

shall be fined not more than two hundred fifty dollars for the first offense and not more than five hundred dollars for the second offense and each subsequent offense. All fines collected under this section shall be deposited in the animal population control account.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. By December 15, 1996, the secretary shall submit a report to the legislature setting forth a complete operating and financial statement regarding the operation of the animal population control program. The secretary shall include in the report an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program and any recommendations for statutory or regulatory changes.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. The department of licensing shall not begin issuance of animal population control license plates before January 1, 1996, to provide adequate time for the department of licensing to prepare for implementation and correctional industries to manufacture the license plates.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. Sections 4 through 9 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 16 RCW.