HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1730

BYRepresentatives Gallagher, Cooper, J. Williams and P. King; by request of  Department of Licensing

Authorizing sample license plates.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (22)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, Doty, Fisher, Fox, Gallagher, Hankins, Heavey, Jones, Kremen, Meyers, Prince, Sutherland, Todd, Vekich, J. Williams, K. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Terry Michalson (786-7315)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION JANUARY 25, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Licensing receives approximately twenty requests each month for sample vehicle license plates, and the number of requests has been on the increase since the introduction of the Centennial plates.  State statute does not permit the Department of Licensing to charge for sample plates; and the State Constitution prohibits the Department from providing the sample plates without cost as this is deemed a gift of state property.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The Department of Licensing is permitted to provide sample license plates upon request, charging a total fee of $16.00.  The fee, less $1.00, shall be deposited in the Motor Vehicle Fund.  The remaining $1.00 shall be divided equally and deposited, as prescribed in existing statute (RCW 46.16.650), in the Centennial Commission Account and the Motor Vehicle Fund through June 30, 1989.  After that date the entire fee shall be deposited in the Motor Vehicle Fund.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The charge for the sample plate is a set fee.  All fees, with the exception of $.50 per plate, shall be deposited in the Motor Vehicle Fund through June 30, 1989.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Dave Kirk, Department of Licensing.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The Department of Licensing receives requests from individuals for sample license plates.  Presently, there is no provision in state law authorizing issuance and charging of a fee for such plates.  Providing the plates free of charge can be considered as a gift and is prohibited by the State Constitution.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.