Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

SSB 6150

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning Medal of Honor special license plates.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Hobbs, Angel, Benton, Conway, O'Ban, Roach and McAuliffe).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Allows registered owners who have been awarded the Medal of Honor to apply for Medal of Honor special license plates for use on up to three motor vehicles.

  • Allows recipients of the Medal of Honor to receive regular issue or special license plates exempt from vehicle license fees and motor vehicle excise taxes in lieu of applying for the Medal of Honor special license plates.

  • Removes "Congressional" in reference to the title of the medal.

Hearing Date: 2/24/14

Staff: Paul Ingiosi (786-7114).

Background:

In 1979 the Legislature authorized the creation of a Congressional Medal of Honor special license plate. Washington residents who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor may apply for the special license plate for display on a vehicle of which they are the registered owner through the Department of Licensing (DOL) by completing a military license plate application and submitting a letter of eligibility from the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) verifying that they have received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Under current law, the Congressional Medal of Honor special license plates must be issued for use on a single motor vehicle owned by the person who has received the Congressional Medal of Honor and without payment of vehicle license fees, license plate fees, and motor vehicle excise taxes. The plates must also be replaced, free of charge, if the plates become lost, stolen, damaged, defaced, or destroyed. The plates may be transferred, free of charge, from one motor vehicle to another owned by the Congressional Medal of Honor recipient upon application to the DOL, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the Director of the DOL.

Summary of Bill:

The bill allows registered owners who have been awarded the Medal of Honor to apply for Medal of Honor special license plates for use on up to three motor vehicles. In lieu of applying for the Medal of Honor special license plate, a recipient of the Medal of Honor is eligible to receive regular issue or special license plates exempt from vehicle license fees and motor vehicle excise taxes.

Additionally, references to "Congressional" in the title of the medal are eliminated.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.