Title: An act relating to the "we love our pets" special license plates.

Brief Description: Authorizing the "we love our pets" license plate.

Sponsors: Senators Oke and Regala.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/2/05, 3/3/05 [DP].

Passed Senate: 3/12/05, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: 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 legislative 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 February 15, 2005, the board formally approved the Washington state federation of animal care and control agencies "we love our pets" license plate application.

Summary of Bill: The Department of Licensing (DOL) must issue a special license plate for vehicles displaying a symbol or artwork approved by the Special License Plate Review Board and the legislature recognizing the efforts of the Washington State federation of animal care and control agencies in Washington State that assist local member agencies of the federation to promote and perform spay/neuter surgery of Washington State pets, in order to reduce pet overpopulation.

An applicant for a "we love our pets" 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 we love our pet account 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 support and enable Washington federation of animal welfare and control agencies to promote and perform spay/neuter surgery of Washington State pets, in order to reduce pet overpopulation.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: Please support 5977. We cannot stress enough the importance of spay and neutering your pets. Last year there were over 150,000 strays and many had to eventually be put to sleep. This bill will assist local governments by reducing the number of stray animals that local entities must deal with through their animal control divisions. It is a good program and a good idea.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Oke, prime sponsor; Steve Pierce, President Federation of Animal Control Agencies.