Title: An act relating to the "Washington's National Park Fund" special license plate.

Brief Description: Authorizing the "Washington's National Park Fund" special license plate.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Kohl-Welles and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/14/05, 3/1/05 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5832 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's National Park Fund 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 efforts of Washington's national parks for future generations in Washington state.

An applicant for a Washington's National Park Fund 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 Washington National Park Fund established under this bill.

The DOL must enter into a contract with a qualified nonprofit organization requiring that the organization use the revenue generated by the license plate sales to build awareness of Washington's national parks and to support priority park programs and projects in Washington's national parks.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: Technical corrections were made.

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: There are three main national parks in Washington: Rainier, North Cascade and Olympic. The revenue generated will allow the funding of additional projects which will make memories for those visiting the parks. Funding will allow for restoration of historic buildings, educational programs and outreach programs. We have prepaid implementation costs and hope to sell over 2,000 plates the first year.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Carolyn Dobbs, Washington National Park Fund and Glenn Anderson, House of Representatives 5th District.