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

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen, Kohl-Welles and Rasmussen).

Hearing Date: 3/21/05

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 formally approved the Washington's National Park Fund license plate application.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) must issue a special license plate for vehicles displaying a symbol or artwork recognizing the efforts of Washington's national parks for future generations in Washington state.

An applicant for a Washington's National Park Fund license plate must pay an initial fee of $40 and a renewal fee each year thereafter 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 the implementation costs. Upon reimbursement, the revenue must be deposited into the Washington National Park Fund established under this bill.

The DOL must enter into a contract with a qualified nonprofit organization requiring that the organization use the revenue generated by the license plate sales to build awareness of Washington's national parks and to support priority park programs and projects in Washington's national parks.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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