Brief Description: Authorizing the armed forces license plate collection.

Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins, Ericksen, McCoy, Haigh, Miloscia, Simpson, Upthegrove, Kessler, Appleton, Williams, Curtis, Conway, Nixon, P. Sullivan, Kenney, Hinkle, Wallace, Jarrett, Dunn, Linville, Morris, Wood, Hunter, Sells, Clibborn, Morrell, Campbell, B. Sullivan and Chase; by request of Department of Veterans Affairs.

Hearing Date: 2/14/05

Staff: Teresa Berntsen (786-7301).

Background:

The Legislature created the Special License Plate Review Board in the 2003 session to review special vehicle license plate applications from governmental or nonprofit organizations in Washington state. 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 Department of Veterans Affairs' "Armed Forces" license plate collection application.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Licensing must issue a special license plate collection displaying a symbol or artwork recognizing the contribution of veterans, active duty military personnel, and reservists. The collection includes five designs representing the army, navy, air force, marine corp, and coast guard.

An applicant for an "Armed Forces" 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 Veterans Stewardship Account, to be used by the Department of Veterans Affairs for activities that benefit veterans, including but not limited to programs and services for homeless veterans, establishing memorials honoring veterans, and maintaining a future state veterans' cemetery.

An organization sponsoring a collection of plates that does not pre-pay the state's implementation costs may meet the reimbursement requirements by dedicating the revenues from all plates sold to the common reimbursement requirement for the entire collection. If the total revenues from the sale of all plates are sufficient to meet the entire collection's reimbursement requirements, the complete collection will continue to be made available.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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