SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5047

BYSenators Rasmussen, Saling and Johnson

Issuing special license plates to spouses of deceased POW's.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 27, 1987; February 3, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5047 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Hansen, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Barr, Bender, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Johnson, Nelson, Patterson, Sellar, Smitherman, von Reichbauer, West.

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

                  February 5, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 3, 1987

BACKGROUND:

People currently receiving special free license plates include permanently disabled veterans and Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.  Special license plates which may be purchased from the Department include license plates for (1) vehicles more than 30 years old, (2) amateur radio operators, (3) handicapped persons meeting certain criteria, and (4) personalized license plates.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Licensing shall issue a set of special vehicle license plates to the surviving spouse of any deceased former prisoner of war, provided the spouse has not remarried, for use on a passenger vehicle.  The plates shall be issued free of charge, and may be transferred to another vehicle registered to the surviving spouse in the same manner as the transfer of a personalized license plate.

The Director of the Department of Licensing shall approve the distinctive design of the special plate.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The section was moved from Chapter 46.16 RCW, relating to vehicle licenses, to Chapter 73.04, which addresses veterans affairs.

Language requiring the spouse to relinquish the plates upon remarriage was deleted on the basis that it would be difficult to prove that the spouse had remarried.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Saling, sponsor; Sandra Brooks, Department of Licensing