H-4138              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1478

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Representatives Zellinsky, Walk, Schmidt, Haugen, K. Wilson, Baugher and Crane

Read first time 1/15/88 and referred to Committee on Transportation.

AN ACT Relating to vehicle license plates; and amending RCW 46.16.230.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 46.16.230, chapter 12, Laws of 1961 as amended by section 19, chapter 25, Laws of 1975 and RCW 46.16.230 are each amended to read as follows:

          The director shall furnish to all persons making satisfactory application for vehicle license as provided by law, two identical vehicle license number plates each containing the vehicle license number to be displayed on such vehicle as by law required:  PROVIDED, That if the vehicle to be licensed is a trailer, semitrailer or motorcycle only one vehicle license number plate shall be issued for each thereof.  The number and plate shall be of such size and color and shall contain such symbols indicative of the registration period for which the same is issued and of the state of Washington, as shall be determined and prescribed by the director.  Any vehicle license number plate or plates issued to a dealer shall contain thereon a sufficient and satisfactory indication that such plates have been issued to a dealer in vehicles.  All vehicle license number plates may be obtained by the director from the metal working plant of the state penitentiary at Walla Walla or from any source in accordance with existing state of Washington purchasing procedures.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the director may, in his or her discretion and under such rules and regulations as he or she may prescribe, adopt a type of vehicle license number plates whereby the same shall be used as long as legible on the vehicle for which issued, with provision and location designation for tabs ((or emblems)) to be attached thereto ((or elsewhere on the vehicle)) to signify renewals((, in which event)).  Each vehicle license number plate issued shall have the renewal tab or tabs affixed to the plate at the designated location.  The term "vehicle license number plate" as used in any enactment shall be deemed to include in addition to such plate the tab ((or emblem)) signifying renewal except when such plate contains the designation of the current year without reference to any tab ((or emblem)).  Renewals shall be effected by the issuance and display of such tab ((or emblem)).