Title: An act relating to the "Keep Kids Safe" license plate series.

Brief Description: Creating the "Keep Kids Safe" license plate series.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual-Berke, Hinkle, Kagi, McCoy, Dickerson, Sells, Hunter, Roach, Tom, Nixon, Jarrett, Upthegrove, Murray, Campbell, Pettigrew, Roberts, Simpson, Ormsby, Appleton, Morrell, Haler, Dunn, P. Sullivan, O'Brien, Chase, Strow and Conway; by request of Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect).

Brief History:

Transportation: 2/14/05, 3/3/05 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/15/05, 95-1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 24 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Wallace, Vice Chair; Woods, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Campbell, Curtis, Dickerson, Ericksen, Hudgins, Jarrett, Kilmer, Lovick, Morris, Nixon, Rodne, Schindler, Sells, Shabro, Simpson, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove and Wood.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Buck and Hankins.

Staff: Teresa Berntsen (786-7301).

Background:

The Legislature created the Special License Plate Review Board (Board) in the 2003 session to review special vehicle license plate applications from governmental or nonprofit organizations in Washington. The Board must verify that the organization and proposed plate meet criteria set by state law, and then forward the approved application to the Legislature.

On September 10, 2004, the Board approved the Washington State Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect's "Keep Kids Safe" license plate application.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Department of Licensing must issue a special license plate displaying artwork recognizing efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.

An applicant for a "Keep Kids Safe" license plate pays an initial fee of $45 and an annual renewal fee 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 implementation costs. After reimbursement, the revenue must be deposited into the Children's Trust Account. Proceeds from this account assist private and public agencies in identifying and establishing community based educational and service programs for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: This plate has been through the Special License Plate Review Board process. The Washington State Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect is the only state agency dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Washington, and proceeds from the sale of this plate will help fund these efforts.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Schual-Berke, prime sponsor; Kristen Rogers, Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse-Neglect; and Denise Isings, National Shaken Baby Coalition.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.