BILL REQ. #:  H-0770.1 

Read first time 01/21/2003.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to replacement of license plates; and amending RCW 46.16.233.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 46.16.233 and 2000 c 37 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except for those license plates issued under RCW 46.16.305(1) before January 1, 1987, under RCW 46.16.305(3), and to commercial vehicles with a gross weight in excess of twenty-six thousand pounds, effective with vehicle registrations due or to become due on January 1, 2001, all vehicle license plates must be issued on a standard background, as designated by the department. ((Additionally,))
     (2) To ensure maximum legibility and reflectivity, the department shall periodically provide for the replacement of license plates as specified by this section, except for commercial vehicles with a gross weight in excess of twenty-six thousand pounds. ((Frequency of replacement shall)) The functional lifetime of the license plate must be established in accordance with empirical studies documenting the longevity of the reflective materials used to make license plates.
     (3) The department may, upon the transfer of a vehicle, require the new owner to replace the license plates at the same time the new owner registers the vehicle if the vehicle's existing license plates have exceeded their functional lifetime. The department may replace license plates at other times upon request of the current owner if the functional lifetime of the plates has been exceeded. The department shall not require replacement of license plates at other times.