Title: An act relating to Wild On Washington license plates.

Brief Description: Providing funding for watchable wildlife activities by creating the "Wild On Washington" license plates.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Lovick, Eickmeyer, Upthegrove, Ericksen, Morrell, Dickerson, Holmquist and Sells).

Brief History:

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

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/15/05, 95-1.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 4/12/05, 43-0.
House Concurred.
Passed House: 4/19/05, 92-6.
Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 23 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, Nixon, Rodne, Schindler, Sells, Shabro, Simpson, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove and Wood.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Buck, Hankins and Morris.

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 Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife's "Wild on Washington" license plate application.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Department of Licensing must issue a special license plate displaying a symbol or artwork recognizing wildlife in Washington.

An applicant for a "Wild on 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 State Wildlife Account, and proceeds must be used for the Department of Fish and Wildlife's watchable wildlife activities as defined in RCW 77.32.560(2).

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: 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 the state's watchable wildlife programs, which support healthy wildlife populations and significantly contribute to the economy, especially in rural in communities.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Lovick, prime sponsor; Mike O'Malley, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.