SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6091

BYSenators West, Saling, Lee, Stratton, Johnson and Anderson

Authorizing college mascot license plates.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 27, 1988

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

AS OF JANUARY 28, 1988

BACKGROUND:

There is little money available today to provide either college scholarships or financial aid to students at state colleges and universities.  More needy students than ever in Washington State are borrowing to finance their education.  In terms of federal financial aid, all sources of funding other than loans have declined by 20 to 24 percent.

If a specialized license plate bearing a picture of the college or university "mascot" were offered for sale, with the proceeds allocated to that institution, a significant amount of money could be raised for student scholarships and assistance while also allowing students, alumni and supporters the opportunity to show their support for that institution.

The Department of Licensing has the responsibility of administering various special license plates, and those which may be purchased from the Department at this time include license plates for (l) vehicles more than 30 years old, (2) handicapped persons meeting certain criteria, (3) amateur radio operators, (4) veterans of Pearl Harbor, and (5) those which are personalized.

SUMMARY:

College mascot license plates shall bear the picture of the mascot or symbol of a state four-year college or university and numbers and letters assigned by the Department of Licensing.  The proposed mascot design shall be submitted to the Department by each state four-year college or university within ninety days of the effective date of this legislation.

The mascot plates may only be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle on which they are to be displayed, after the applicant has completed the application form required by the Department.

In addition to the usual registration or renewal fee, the college mascot license plate requires an additional fifty dollar fee annually.  Mascot plates that are not renewed must be surrendered to the Department.  Failure to do so is a traffic infraction.

The colleges and universities may distribute information and applications for the mascot plates.  The Department of Licensing, administrator of the licensing and registration program shall deduct its administrative and production costs from the fees, depositing the remaining funds in the state treasury to the credit of the college designated on the plates.

One-half of the money credited to each college or university shall be used for student scholarships: one-half of the scholarships to be awarded on the basis of financial need, and one-half to be awarded on the basis of academic achievement, regardless of financial need.  The remainder of the money credited to each college or university each year shall be invested by the state treasurer, with the earnings to be transferred annually to the scholarship fund of the appropriate college for award.

A transfer fee of $5, to be deposited in the motor vehicle fund, is required by the Department before the mascot plate can be transferred to another vehicle or camper.  The Department must be immediately notified of the plate transfer or the mascot plates must be surrendered to the Department releasing the individual's priority to the letters or numbers displayed on the special license plates.  Failure to comply is a traffic infraction.

The Department is empowered to adopt rules for implementation of the college mascot plate program.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      requested January 21, 1988