Read first time 01/30/09.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to providing funds for disabled veterans through voluntary donations; adding a new section to chapter 46.16 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 43.60A RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall provide an opportunity for the owners of vehicles registered under RCW 46.16.0621 and vehicles licensed under RCW 46.16.070 with a declared gross weight of ten thousand pounds or less to make a voluntary donation of five dollars at the time of initial or renewal registration. Receipts from voluntary donations under this section must be deposited in the disabled veterans assistance account created in section 2 of this act.
     (2) This section applies to registrations due or to become due on or after January 1, 2010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.60A RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The disabled veterans assistance account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Disbursements of funds must be on the authorization of the director or the director's designee, and only for the purposes stated in subsection (4) of this section. In order to maintain an effective expenditure and revenue control, funds are subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required to permit the expenditure of the funds.
     (2) The department may request and accept nondedicated contributions, grants, or gifts in cash or otherwise, including funds generated by voluntary donations under section 1 of this act.
     (3) All receipts from voluntary donations under section 1 of this act must be deposited into the account.
     (4) All moneys deposited into the account must be used by the department for activities that benefit veterans including, but not limited to, providing programs and services that assist veterans with the procurement of durable medical equipment, mobility enhancing equipment, emergency home or vehicle repair, or emergency food or emergency shelter. The first priority for assistance provided through the account must be given to veterans who are experiencing a financial hardship and do not qualify for other federal or state veterans programs and services. Funds from the account may not be used to supplant existing funds received by the department.
     (5) For the purposes of this section, "veteran" has the same meaning as in RCW 41.04.005 and 41.04.007, and also means an actively serving member of the national guard or reserves, or is active duty military personnel.