Title: An act relating to the "Ski & Ride Washington" special license plate.

Brief Description: Authorizing a "Ski & Ride Washington" license plate.

Sponsors: Senators Weinstein, Swecker, Jacobsen, Parlette, Mulliken and Brandland.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/10/05, 2/21/05 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5143 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benson, Eide, Esser, Kastama, Mulliken, Oke, Spanel and Weinstein.

Staff: Dalene Sprick (786-7321)

Background: The Special License Plate Review Board was created in the 2003 session and charged with reviewing special license plate applications from groups requesting the creation of a special license plate series. Upon approval, the board forwards the application to the Legislature.

On December 10, 2004, the board formally approved the 49 North Winter Sports Foundation "Ski & Ride Washington" license plate application.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Department of Licensing (DOL) must issue a special license plate for vehicles displaying a symbol or artwork recognizing the Washington snowsports industry.

An applicant for a "Ski & Ride Washington" 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 "Ski & Ride Washington" account established under this bill.

The DOL must enter into a contract with a qualified nonprofit organization for the purpose of promoting winter snowsports, (i.e. skiing and snowboarding) and related programs such as ski and ride safety programs, underprivileged youth "ski & ride" programs, and active healthy lifestyle programs.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill was not considered.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which the bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill comes at a really critical time for our industry since we have faced such a disastrous season in terms of weather and are struggling financially as a result. A big part of Washington's tourism comes from the ski areas and this plate will help promote that. We have over 100,000 season pass-holders who will be our main market for the speciality plates. Therefore, we believe this can be a solid funding source to promote skiing and snowboarding and to assist with avalanche work.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Duncan Howat, Mt Baker Ski Area General Manager, 49 North Ski Foundation Chair.