Title: An act relating to Washington state parks and recreation commission special license plates.

Brief Description: Authorizing state parks and recreation commission license plates.

Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins, Ericksen, B. Sullivan and Morrell; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.

Brief History:

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

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: 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 the organization and proposed plate meet criteria set by state law, and then forwards the approved application to the Legislature.

On December 10, 2004, the Board approved the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission's "Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission" license plate application.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Licensing must issue a special license plate displaying a symbol or artwork recognizing Washington State Parks as premier destinations that preserve significant natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources.

An applicant for a "Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission" 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 Parks Improvement Account. This account is used for operating state parks, developing and renovating park facilities, park stewardship, and other state park purposes.

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 educational and interpretive programs for state parks, which currently have no funding sources. The current funding backlog for our 120 state parks is $40 million to maintain and $300 million in capital facilities.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Hudgins, prime sponsor; and Jim French, Washington State Parks.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.