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

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).

House Committee on Transportation
Senate Committee on Transportation

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.

Drivers pay an additional fee for a special vehicle license plate. The initial revenue generated from the special plate sales is deposited into the Motor Vehicle Account until the state has been reimbursed for implementation costs. After reimbursement, the revenue is deposited into the account designated by the authorizing statute for the specific special vehicle license plate.

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:

The Department of Licensing must issue a special vehicle 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. After reimbursement to the state, 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.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   95   1
Senate   47   0

Effective: July 24, 2005