BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to Olympic Games license plates; amending RCW 46.16.301 and 46.16.313; adding a new section to chapter 46.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.16 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 46.68 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows:

"Olympic Games license plates" mean license plates that display a phrase or symbol, or both, supporting United States athletes competing in the Olympic Games.

Sec. 2. RCW 46.16.301 and 1995 3rd sp.s. c 1 s 102 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 Olympic Games.

(2) The department shall create, design, and issue a special baseball stadium license plate 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 shall commemorate the construction of a baseball stadium, as defined in RCW 82.14.0485. The department shall also issue to each recipient of a special baseball stadium license plate a certificate of participation in the construction of the baseball stadium.

(3) The department has the sole discretion to determine whether or not to create, design, or issue any series of special license plates, other than the special baseball stadium license plate under subsection (2) of this section, 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.

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

(1) The department, in consultation with the Washington state Olympic committee, shall design an Olympic Games license plate that displays a phrase or symbol, or both, supporting United States athletes competing in the Olympic Games. Olympic Games license plates issued under this chapter must be displayed on the department's officially designated mountain background design.

(2) Beginning July 1, 1997, persons may apply to the department for an Olympic Games license plate.

Sec. 4. RCW 46.16.313 and 1995 3rd sp.s. c 1 s 103 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, registration, and renewal registration of a motor vehicle, the holder of a special baseball stadium 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 distributed to a county for the purpose of paying the principal and interest payments on bonds issued by the county to construct a baseball stadium, as defined in RCW 82.14.0485, including reasonably necessary preconstruction costs, while the taxes are being collected under RCW 82.14.360. After this date, the state treasurer shall credit the funds to the state general fund.

(4) In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application, registration, and renewal registration of a motor vehicle, the holder of an Olympic Games 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 for deposit in the Olympic Games license plate account, created in section 5 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 46.68 RCW to read as follows:

The Olympic Games license plate account is established in the custody of the state treasurer for deposit of all receipts from Olympic Games license plates. The state treasurer shall remit the proceeds on a quarterly basis to the Washington state Olympic committee. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for expenditures. Expenditures of funds from Olympic Games license plates must be used exclusively for support of United States athletes contending to compete or competing in the Olympic Games.