Title: An act relating to the armed forces license plate collection.

Brief Description: Authorizing the armed forces license plate collection.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Esser, Kastama, Swecker, Franklin, Kohl-Welles, Benson, Oke, Schmidt, Sheldon and Roach; by request of Department of Veterans Affairs.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/14/05, 3/1/05 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5096 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benson, Eide, Esser, Kastama, Mulliken, Oke, Spanel and Weinstein.

Staff: Kimberly Johnson (786-7346)

Background: The Special License Plate Review Board was created in the 2003 session and charged with reviewing special license plate applications from groups requesting the creation of a special license plate series. Upon approval, the board forwards the application to the legislature.

On December 10, 2004, the board formally approved the Department of Veterans Affairs' Armed Forces license plate collection application.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Department of Licensing (DOL) must issue a special license plate collection for motor vehicles recognizing the contribution of veterans, active duty military personnel, and reservists. The collection includes a design for the army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, and the Washington national guard. DOL must also issue a decal indicating military status of the person purchasing the license plate. Armed Forces license plates and decals are available only to veterans, active duty military personnel, reservists, and the spouses of deceased veterans.

An applicant for an Armed Forces 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 veterans stewardship account and may only be used for activities that benefit veterans, such as, establishing memorials honoring veterans and maintaining a future state veterans' cemetery.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The Armed Forces collection must also include a Washington national guard plate.

The reimbursement options for a special license plate collection is removed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: The Armed Forces License plates will help us meet our strategic goal of establishing a state veterans cemetery in eastern Washington. The Federal government will pay for the construction of the cemetery, but all maintenance and operations costs must be covered by the state. The funds we will receive from the plate sales will help us to meet the federal requirements.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Skip Dreps, Northwest Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America; John Lee, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs; Fred Fakkema, Washington State Patrol.