FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2299

C 65 L 12

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Creating "4-H" and state flower special license plates.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Warnick, Clibborn, Haigh, Armstrong, Short, Nealey, Fagan, Tharinger, Hunt, Moscoso and Jinkins).

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues special vehicle license plates that may be used in lieu of standard plates. A governmental or nonprofit sponsoring organization seeking to sponsor a special plate either submits an application to the DOL or requests legislation to create the special plate. Generally, the sponsoring organization seeking to sponsor the special plate is required to reimburse the DOL for the costs of establishing the new special plate. There is a moratorium on the issuance of new special license plates by the DOL until June 30, 2013.

For special license plates that are enacted by legislation, a sponsoring organization must, within 30 days of enactment, submit prepayment of all start-up costs to the DOL. If the sponsoring organization is not able to meet the prepayment requirement, revenues generated from the sale of the special license plate are first used to pay any costs associated with establishing the new plate. The sponsoring organization must also provide a proposed license plate design to the DOL. Additionally, the sponsoring organization must submit an annual financial report to the DOL detailing actual revenues generated from the sale of the special license plate.

The DOL collects special license plate fees and, for administrative expenses, deducts an amount not to exceed $12 for new plate issuance and $2 for renewal. After these expenses are paid, the State Treasurer deposits proceeds into the Motor Vehicle Account until the DOL determines the start-up costs for a special license plate are paid.

Summary:

A 4-H special license plate is created which would display the 4-H logo. In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application for a vehicle registration, a fee of $40 is charged for a 4-H special license plate and a $30 fee is charged for renewal of a special license plate.

The bill creates a state flower special license plate which would recognize the Washington state flower. In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application for a vehicle registration, a fee of $40 would be charged for a state flower special license plate and a $30 fee is charged for renewal of a special license plate.

Once all start-up costs are paid, the State Treasurer deposits remaining special license plate fee amounts into the accounts created in the custody of the State Treasurer for each of these new special license plates. Deposits to the 4-H Programs Account will support Washington 4-H programs. Deposits to the State Flower Account will support Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens and provide for grants to other qualified nonprofit organizations' efforts to preserve rhododendrons.

Votes on Final Passage: