Title: An act relating to Wild On Washington license plates.

Brief Description: Providing funding for watchable wildlife activities by creating the "Wild On Washington" license plates.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Swecker, Oke, Doumit, Fraser, Rockefeller, Rasmussen and Roach.

Brief History:

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

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5228 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Poulsen, 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 Department of Fish and Wildlife's "Wild on Washington" license plate application.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Department of Licensing must issue a special license plate displaying a symbol or artwork symbolizing wildlife viewing in Washington state.

An applicant for a "Wild on 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 state wildlife account and proceeds credited to this fund must be dedicated to watchable wildlife activities.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: Technical corrections were made to the original bill.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: This will provide additional dollars for underfunded programs. It is a legacy opportunity to create a landmark conservation achievements. Great excitement over the funding opportunities this provides and our constituency has also exhibited very strong support for the plates. Watchable wildlife programs are very important because they are the fastest growing non-consumptive wildlife activities in the country. Despite the fact that Washington has some of the greatest wildlife, the state ranks 46th in the nation in funding these activities.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Jacobson, prime sponsor; Steve Pozzandiera, WDFW; Heath Packard, Audubon Society.