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

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

Sponsors: Senators Swecker, Jacobsen, Oke, Doumit, Fraser, Rockefeller, Kohl-Welles and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 1/20/05 [w/oRec-TRAN].
Transportation: 2/14/05, 2/21/05 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5230 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, 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 Washington's Wildlife license plate collection application.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Department of Licensing must issue a special license plate collection for vehicles displaying a symbol or artwork recognizing Washington's wildlife to include bear, deer, and elk.

An applicant for a Washington's Wildlife 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 may only be used for the Department of Fish and Wildlife's game species management 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 bill allows for three special plates for elk, bear, and deer. During the signature gathering process we were very pleased with the public's response. The funds generated from these plates will allow the implementation of the game management plan established in 2003. It will provide for habitat improvement, improved population monitoring and restoration as well as education materials for the public.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Dave Ware, Mike Cope, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.