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

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen, Swecker, Haugen, Parlette, Kohl-Welles and Oke; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission).

Hearing Date: 3/21/05

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 formally approved the Washington's National Park Fund license plate application.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Licensing must issue a special license plate for vehicles displaying a symbol or artwork recognizing the efforts of state parks and recreation in Washington State.

An applicant for a Washington State parks and recreation commission special license plate must pay an initial fee of $40 and a renewal fee each year thereafter 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 the implementation costs. Upon reimbursement, the revenue must be deposited into the state parks education and enhancement account. Expenditures from the account may only be used to provide public educational opportunities and enhancement of Washington State parks.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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