HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1412

As Amended by the Senate

BYRepresentatives Kremen, Hankins, Heavey, Beck, Braddock, Basich, Baugher, Winsley, Day, G. Fisher, Prentice, Todd, R. Meyers, Jones, D. Sommers, Prince, S. Wilson, Gallagher, Betrozoff, Walker, Wood, Haugen, Smith, Cantwell, Cooper, Pruitt, Zellinsky, K. Wilson, R. Fisher, Tate, Rector, Rasmussen, Youngsman, Doty, Schoon, Moyer, Wineberry, McLean, Dorn, Crane, Nealey, Sayan, Valle, Inslee, Jesernig, Fraser, Nutley, Patrick, H. Myers, Rayburn, R. King, Miller, Spanel, Brooks, Hargrove, Anderson, Sprenkle, Scott, Grant, Dellwo, May, Van Luven, Bowman, Horn, Fuhrman, Silver, Ferguson, Jacobsen, P. King, Morris and Phillips

Authorizing remembrance tabs for veterans' license plates.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (25)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Republican Member; Wood, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, G. Fisher, R. Fisher, Gallagher, Hankins, Heavey, Jones, Kremen, R. Meyers, Nelson, Patrick, Prentice, Prince, Smith, D. Sommers, Todd, Walker, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Louise Bray (786-7322)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 6, 1989

BACKGROUND:

According to the Washington Statewide Memorial Foundation, it is estimated that there are approximately 500,000 honorably discharged veterans living in Washington State.

Military personnel are awarded campaign ribbons for combat service.  Since 1917, ribbons have been awarded for six major campaigns:  World War I (1917- 1918); the Pacific and European Theatres during World War II (1942-45); Korea (1950 - 1954); Vietnam (1965-1973); and Armed Forces Expeditionary (1958 - 1984).

Funds for creating and preserving memorials to those who have served our country are limited.

SUMMARY:

A person who has been honorably discharged from military service shall be issued a tab depicting the American flag. Veterans who have been awarded a campaign ribbon shall be issued a tab depicting the campaign ribbon.  The veteran must furnish proof of his or her honorable discharge and pay all regular license fees as well as a $5 fee to the Department of Licensing in order to receive the tab or tabs.

The tab shall be affixed to the front license plate in an area designated by the Department of Licensing.

The Veterans Remembrance Account is created in the custody of the State Treasurer.  All monies received from the sale of the tabs to veterans shall be placed in the Account.  Expenditures from the Account shall be used by the Department of Veterans Affairs exclusively for payment of the costs associated with the program.  Any remaining balance in the Account is to be used exclusively for projects that pay tribute to veterans.  The monies may be used to preserve and operate existing memorials, as well as for planning, acquiring land and constructing future memorials.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS:  Language is removed that indicated the bill does not prohibit persons, regardless of military service, from displaying an American flag on or near their license plate.  The bill is effective January 1, 1990.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Jim Pace, Washington State Veterans Memorial Foundation; Doris Gross, American Legion; Glenn Galbreath, Paralyzed Veterans of America; John Libby, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This is one way of recognizing our Washington State veterans who have honorably defended this country.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 92; Nays 5; Excused 1

Voting Nay: Representatives Belcher, Bristow, Cole, Fisher R. and Locke

Excused:    Representative Appelwick