Title: An act relating to Washington state parks and recreation commission special license plates.

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

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Swecker, Haugen, Parlette, Kohl-Welles and Oke; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/10/05, 3/1/05 [DPS]

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5316 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 Washington State parks and recreation commission license plate application.

Summary of Substitute 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.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: Technical corrections were made to the original and a new account was created to receive the funds generated from the sale of the specialty plates.

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: The plates and the revenue they generate will be a great way to enhance programs that are currently under funded or not funded at all.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Jacobsen, prime sponsor; Jim French, State Parks.