SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5000

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Transportation, March 2, 1999

Title:  An act relating to salmon species enrichment license plates.

Brief Description:  Authorizing salmon species enrichment license plates.

Sponsors:  Senators Rossi, Hochstatter and Patterson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/24/99, 3/2/99 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5000 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Goings, Vice Chair; Benton, Costa, Eide, Heavey, Horn, Jacobsen, Johnson, Morton, Oke, Patterson, Prentice, Sellar, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Staff:  Kelly Simpson (786-7305)

Background:  Special motor vehicle license plates are those plates containing a unique design recognizing a particular organization or membership in a particular group.  Currently, 15 sets of special plate series exist, including personalized plates and veteran=s emblems.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The special salmon species enrichment license plate series is established.  Monies raised from the issuance of these plates are to be sent to the newly created salmon species enrichment license fees account.  Monies in the account may be spent only after legislative appropriation, and may be used only for the preservation, protection, perpetuation, and enhancement of salmon species.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is charged with soliciting, from the public and private sectors, proposed salmon restoration projects.  The department must then prioritize the projects and recommend to the Legislature projects to be funded from the new account.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Technical changes were made to clean up the bill.  Language was added requiring the Department of Fish and Wildlife to solicit and recommend salmon restoration projects.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 16, 1999.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  In light of the impending endangered species designation, this bill allows concerned citizens to show their support for salmon restoration projects.

Testimony Against:  Pursuant to the recommendations of a 1996 interim report from the Legislative Transportation Committee, the Department of Licensing does not wish to endorse the creation of a new special plate series.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Rossi, prime sponsor; Rod Shearer, Cadman, Inc.; Bruce Cattin, WA Aggregate & Concrete; Commissioner Russ Cahill, Brian Edie, Nina Carter, Dept. of Fish & Wildlife; Tom Cowan, Puget Sound water Quality Action Team; Barbara Lindsay, Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Assn; NEUTRAL:  Capt. Eric Robertson, WA State Patrol; CON:  Evelyn Barker, Dept. of Licensing.