Title: An act relating to the "Ski & Ride Washington" special license plate.

Brief Description: Authorizing a "Ski & Ride Washington" license plate.

Sponsors: Representatives Wallace, Ericksen, Linville, Kristiansen, Grant, Serben, Walsh, Sells and Strow.

Brief History:

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

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 December 10, 2004, the Board approved the 49 Degrees North Winter Sports Foundation's "Ski and Ride Washington" license plate application.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Department of Licensing must issue a special license plate displaying a symbol or artwork recognizing the Washington snowsports industry.

An applicant for a "Ski and Ride Washington" license plate pays an initial fee of $40 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 Ski and Ride Washington Account. Proceeds from this account promote winter snowsports such as skiing and snowboarding and related programs such as ski and ride safety programs, underprivileged youth programs, and active, healthy lifestyle programs.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill makes the following technical corrections:

• clarifies that the special license plate review boards' review and approval was done in accordance with the criteria set in statute;
• allows the special plate to be purchased for trailers;
• clarifies the time periods during which certain registration fees apply;
• adds specificity to the description of the "Ski & Ride Washington" account; and
• deletes unnecessary amendments to a section of laws regarding transfer of special plates.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: Proceeds from the sale of this plate will help fund winter snowsports such as skiing and snowboarding, a vital state economic interest. Sales will also help fund safety programs and programs for underprivileged youth.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Wallace, prime sponsor; and Kevin McCarthy, White Pass Company and Winter Sports Foundation.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.