SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 2471

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Highways & Transportation, March 1, 2004

Title: An act relating to special license plates to honor law enforcement officers in Washington killed in the line of duty.

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

Sponsors: Representatives Lovick, Delvin, O'Brien, Edwards, Chase, Ahern, D. Simpson, Kessler, Kirby, Pettigrew, Lantz, Rockefeller, McCoy, Murray, Eickmeyer, Sullivan, Miloscia, Haigh, Dickerson, Hunt, Grant, McDermott, Romero, Ormsby, Darneille, McDonald, Morrell, Wallace, Skinner, Kenney, Moeller, Dunshee, Hudgins, Hankins, Hinkle, Pearson, Santos, Wood, McMahan, Clibborn, G. Simpson, Fromhold, Hunter, Talcott, Kristiansen, Hatfield, Condotta and Conway.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 2/18/04, 3/1/04 [DPA, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Haugen, Kastama, Mulliken, Murray, Oke, Poulsen and Spanel.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

      Signed by Senator Jacobsen.

Staff: Kimberly Johnson (786-7346)

Background: The Special License Plate Review Board was created in the 2003 session and charged with reviewing special license plate applications from groups requesting the creation of a special license plate series. Upon approval, the board forwards the application to the Legislature.

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

Summary of Amended Bill: The Department of Licensing (DOL) must issue 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 initial 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.

DOL must enter into a contract with a qualified nonprofit organization requiring that the organization use the plate revenue 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.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The amendment provided that vehicles that are required to display one license plate, such as motorcycles or trailers, may also display a law enforcement license plate.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill contains several effective dates. Please refer to the bill.

Testimony For: This bill provides us with a mechanism to recognize the ultimate sacrifice paid by these law enforcement officers while serving and protecting our families.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Representative Lovick, Gayle Frink Schulz, Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial; Bob Thurston, Troopers Association; Bill Hanson, Washington State Council of Police and Sheriffs.