SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5136

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Owen, Bender, Warnke, Conner, Stratton and Garrett)

Issuing special license plates to Pearl Harbor survivors.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 27, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5136 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

                  February 18, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 18, 1987

BACKGROUND:

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

Three states have already approved special plates for Pearl Harbor survivors; five other states will be addressing the matter this year in their respective legislatures.  There are approximately 370 members in the Washington chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and is certified by them.

SUMMARY:

A state resident may apply to the Department of Licensing for a special license plate designed to indicate that the recipient is a survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, provided the applicant fulfills the following requirements:  (1)  was a member of the United States Armed Forces on December 7, 1941; (2) was on station on December 7, 1941, during the hours of 7:55 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Hawaii time at Pearl Harbor, the Island of Oahu, or offshore at a distance not to exceed three miles; (3) received an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces; and (4) holds a current membership in a Washington State chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

The applicant shall be provided with special plates upon payment of the regular license fee and furnishing of proof to the Department of Licensing that the above requirements have been met.

Only one motor vehicle may be licensed in this manner at one time.

The recipient shall be issued replacement plates without charge in the event that the plates are lost, stolen or destroyed.

The plate shall remain with the recipient and may be used on another motor vehicle registered to the recipient.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Cindy Manning, aide to Senator Owen; Sandra Brooks, Department of Licensing; George Fisher, Pearl Harbor Survivors Association; Charles O'Donovan, PHSA; Henry Blake, PHSA