SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6249

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Transportation, February 1, 2002

Title:  An act relating to the distinguished flying cross license plate.

Brief Description:  Establishing the distinguished flying cross license plate.

Sponsors:  Senators Jacobsen, Kastama, Rasmussen and Roach.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  1/25/02, 2/1/02 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6249 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Eide, Horn, Jacobsen, Johnson, Kastama, Keiser, McAuliffe, McDonald, Oke, Prentice and Shin.

Staff:  Chris Reykdal (786‑7321)

Background:  The Distinguished Flying Cross medal is awarded to any officer or enlisted person of the Armed Forces of the United States who have distinguished themselves in actual combat in support of operations by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight.

Summary of Substitute Bill:    The Northwest Chapter of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, in cooperation with the Department of Licensing and the Washington State Patrol, must create and design a special license plate displaying the Distinguished Flying Cross symbol.

The initial cost of the Distinguished Flying Cross Plates is $40.  The Department of Licensing retains $12 of the original fee for administration and collection expenses.  Renewal fees for the Distinguished Flying Cross Plates are $30.  The Department of Licensing retains $2 of the renewal fee for administration and collection expenses.

The Distinguished Flying Cross License Plate Account is established.  $28 of every original and renewal fee collected on the sale of Distinguished Flying Cross License Plates is deposited in the Distinguished Flying Cross License Plate Account.  Proceeds from the account fund educational scholarships for at-risk youths through the Educational Foundation of the Northwest Chapter of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, as authorized by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  The Distinguished Flying Cross License Plate Account is not subject to allotment or appropriation.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill was not considered.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 21, 2002.

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

Testimony For:  Distinguished Flying Cross members deserve to be recognized.  The plate will be simple and easy to read so as to minimize law enforcement's concerns.  The money generated from plate sales will fund a summer aviation program through the Northwest Chapter of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Allan Hagelthorn (pro).