Title: An act relating to the "Washington's National Park Fund" special license plate.

Brief Description: Authorizing the "Washington's National Park Fund" special license plate.

Sponsors: Representatives Anderson, Kessler, Ericksen, Linville, McCune and Morrell.

Brief History:

Transportation: 2/14/05, 3/3/05 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 24 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Wallace, Vice Chair; Woods, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Campbell, Curtis, Dickerson, Ericksen, Hudgins, Jarrett, Kilmer, Lovick, Morris, Nixon, Rodne, Schindler, Sells, Shabro, Simpson, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove and Wood.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Buck and Hankins.

Staff: Teresa Berntsen (786-7301).

Background:

The Legislature created the Special License Plate Review Board (Board) in the 2003 session to review special vehicle license plate applications from governmental or nonprofit organizations in Washington. The Board must verify the organization and proposed plate meet criteria set by state law, and then forwards the approved application to the Legislature.

On December 10, 2004, the Board approved the Washington National Park Fund's "Washington's National Park Fund" license plate application.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Department of Licensing must issue a special license plate displaying a symbol or artwork recognizing Washington's National Park Fund.

An applicant for a "Washington's National Park Fund" license plate pays an initial fee of $40 and an annual renewal fee of $30. The initial revenue generated from the plate sales must be deposited into the Motor Vehicle Account until the state has been reimbursed for implementation costs. After reimbursement, the revenue must be deposited into the Washington's National Park Fund Account, to be used to build awareness of, and to support priority programs and projects in, Washington's national parks.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill makes the following technical corrections:

• allows the special plate to be purchased for trailers.   

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The sale of these plates will benefit the Washington National Parks Fund, which is a nonprofit organization that forms public-private partnerships to support the states' three national parks. The projects funded will help build public awareness and support of national parks.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Anderson, prime sponsor; and Carolyn Dobbs, Washington National Park Fund.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.