Title: An act relating to Washington's Wildlife license plate collection.

Brief Description: Establishing the Washington's Wildlife license plate collection.

Sponsors: Representatives Ericksen, Lovick, Upthegrove, Eickmeyer, Williams, Chase, Hinkle and Sells.

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 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 "Washington's Wildlife" license plate collection application.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

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

An applicant for a "Washington's Wildlife " 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 must be used for the Department of Fish and Wildlife's game species management activities.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill makes the following technical corrections:

• corrects references to statutes; and
• allows the special plate to be purchased for trailers.

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 the state's Games Species Management Act, which helps preserve wildlife while supplying an important state recreational and economic activity.

Testimony Against: None.

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

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.