Brief Description: Authorizing special license plates to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Horn, Brandland, Esser, Oke, Eide, Winsley and Hewitt).

Hearing Date: 2/25/04

Staff: Page Scott (786-7301).

Background:

The Special License Plate Review Board (SLPRB) was created in 2003 by ESHB 1592. The SLPRB is charged with reviewing special license plate applications from groups requesting the creation of a special license plate series. Upon review and approval, the SLPRB forwards the application to the Legislature.

On January 8, 2004, the SLPRB formally approved the Law Enforcement Memorial special license plate application.

Summary of Bill:

Beginning with vehicle registrations due or to become due in January 2005, the Department of Licensing (DOL) must offer a special license plate displaying a symbol honoring law enforcement officers in Washington who were killed in the line of duty.

An applicant for a Law Enforcement Memorial license plate must pay an initial fee of $40 and a renewal fee each year thereafter of $30. The DOL may deduct up to $12 of the initial fee and up to $2 of the renewal fee for administration and collection expenses. The remaining revenue generated from the plate sales must be deposited into the motor vehicle account until the state has been reimbursed for the implementation costs. Upon reimbursement, the revenue must be deposited into the law enforcement memorial account.

The DOL must enter into a contract with a qualified nonprofit organization requiring that the organization use the revenue generated by the license plate sales to provide support and assistance to survivors and families of law enforcement officers in Washington who were killed in the line of duty and to construct, maintain, and utilize a memorial on the state capitol grounds to honor fallen officers.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.