BILL REQ. #:  H-1490.1 

Read first time 02/12/2003.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to digitally printed license plates to fund a new class of ferries; amending RCW 46.16.230 and 46.16.233; and adding a new section to chapter 47.60 RCW.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 46.16.230 and 1992 c 7 s 41 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The director shall furnish to all persons making satisfactory application for vehicle license as provided by law, two identical vehicle license number plates each containing the vehicle license number to be displayed on such vehicle as by law required: PROVIDED, That if the vehicle to be licensed is a trailer, semitrailer or motorcycle only one vehicle license number plate shall be issued for each thereof. The number and plate shall be of such size and color and shall contain such symbols indicative of the registration period for which the same is issued and of the state of Washington, as shall be determined and prescribed by the director. Any vehicle license number plate or plates issued to a dealer shall contain thereon a sufficient and satisfactory indication that such plates have been issued to a dealer in vehicles. All vehicle license number plates may be obtained by the director from the metal working plant of a state correctional facility or from any source in accordance with existing state of Washington purchasing procedures.
     (2) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the director may, in his discretion and under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, adopt a type of vehicle license number plates whereby the same shall be used as long as legible on the vehicle for which issued, with provision for tabs or emblems to be attached thereto or elsewhere on the vehicle to signify renewals, in which event the term "vehicle license number plate" as used in any enactment shall be deemed to include in addition to such plate the tab or emblem signifying renewal except when such plate contains the designation of the current year without reference to any tab or emblem. Renewals shall be effected by the issuance and display of such tab or emblem.
     (3) The department shall implement a flat, digitally printed license plate system that must be used to manufacture all license plates issued under this chapter. This system must be in place and operational by July 1, 2004, and the system must be used to produce all license plates issued under this chapter no later than July 1, 2011.
     (4) The department shall solicit a request for proposal for implementing a flat, digitally printed license plate system. The department must report back to the legislature by December 1, 2003, on the results of the request for proposal process, which must, at a minimum, inform the legislature on who responded to the request for proposal, the specifications of each proposal and the associated costs, and the department's recommendation on which proposal is preferred, accompanied with a proposed phased-in implementation plan that will meet the implementation deadline of July 1, 2011, as set forth in subsection (3) of this section.

Sec. 2   RCW 46.16.233 and 2000 c 37 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except for those license plates issued under RCW 46.16.305(1) before January 1, 1987, under RCW 46.16.305(3), and to commercial vehicles with a gross weight in excess of twenty-six thousand pounds, effective with vehicle registrations due or to become due on January 1, 2001, all vehicle license plates must be issued on a standard background, as designated by the department.
     (2) Additionally, to ensure maximum legibility and reflectivity, the department shall periodically provide for the replacement of license plates, except for commercial vehicles with a gross weight in excess of twenty-six thousand pounds. Frequency of replacement shall be established in accordance with empirical studies documenting the longevity of the reflective materials used to make license plates.
     (3) In providing for the periodic replacement of license plates, the department shall offer vehicle owners the option of retaining their current license plate numbers. The department shall charge a retention fee of twenty dollars if this option is exercised by a vehicle owner. Revenue generated from the retention fee will be deposited into the steel electric ferry replacement account.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The steel electric ferry replacement account is created in the motor vehicle fund. All moneys deposited in the account are subject to the following conditions:
     (a) All funds will be used by the department of transportation for replacing the steel electric class of ferries, including the design, construction, and financing of a new class of ferry.
     (b) The department of transportation will use these funds to maximize the benefit to the taxpayer.
     (c) The department of transportation will pursue all financing opportunities available in order to make the best use of these funds.
     (d) Use of these funds must adhere to the legislative intent of chapter 226, Laws of 2001.
     (2) The treasurer shall never transfer any moneys from the steel electric ferry replacement account for use by the department of transportation for state highway purposes so long as there is due and unpaid obligations for payment of principal, interest, sinking funds, or reserves as required by any pledge of the steel electric ferry replacement account.