Brief Description: Creating the "Endangered Wildlife" special vehicle license plate.

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

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 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 December 10, 2004, the Board approved the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife's "Endangered Wildlife" license plate application.

Summary:

The Department of Licensing must issue a special vehicle license plate displaying a symbol or artwork referred to as the "Endangered Wildlife" license plate.

An applicant for an "Endangered Wildlife" license plate pays an initial fee of $40 and an annual renewal fee of $30. After reimbursement to the state, the revenue must be deposited into the State Wildlife Account, and must be used for the Department of Fish and Wildlife's endangered wildlife program activities.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   92   4
Senate   46   0   (Senate amended)
House   86   9   (House concurred)

Effective: July 24, 2005