SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5997

As Passed Senate, February 5, 2002

Title:  An act relating to special license plates for fairs.

Brief Description:  Creating a special fair license plate.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Hochstatter, Rasmussen, Haugen, Honeyford, Gardner, Winsley, Prentice, Benton, Long, Franklin, Fairley, Patterson, Shin, T. Sheldon, Rossi, Snyder, Morton, Spanel, Stevens, McDonald, McCaslin, West, Parlette, Oke, Hewitt, Horn, Swecker, Kastama, Zarelli, Roach and Sheahan).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/21/01, 2/22/01 [DPS].

Passed Senate:  3/8/01, 49-0; 2/5/02, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5997 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Benton, Eide, Horn, Jacobsen, McDonald, Oke, Prentice, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Staff:  Dean Carlson (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.  Some of these special plates are used to raise money for  particular causes and others are used to honor residents of the state for particular activities.

The fair fund is used to assist several different kinds of fairs (area fairs, county and district fairs, community fairs, and youth fairs) around the state.  Only the Director of Agriculture may authorize expenditures from the fund.

Summary of Bill:  A special fair license plate series is established.  The license plate is available beginning January 1, 2003.  The charge is $40 initially and $30 for each renewal.  Monies raised from the issuance of these plates are credited to the fair fund.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 19, 2001.

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

Testimony For:  This is great for promoting fairs; a fun, creative opportunity.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Heather Hansen, Washington State Fairs Association