BILL REQ. #:  H-3448.1 

Read first time 01/11/12.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to military service award emblems; and amending RCW 46.18.295 and 46.16A.215.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 46.18.295 and 2011 c 171 s 73 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Veterans discharged under honorable conditions (veterans) and individuals serving on active duty in the United States armed forces (active duty military personnel) may purchase a veterans remembrance emblem ((or)), campaign medal emblem, or military service award emblem. The emblem is to be displayed on license plates in the manner described by the department, existing vehicular registration procedures, and current laws.
     (2) Veterans and active duty military personnel who served during periods of war or armed conflict may purchase a remembrance emblem depicting campaign ribbons which they were awarded.
     (3) The following campaign ribbon remembrance emblems are available:
     (a) World War I victory medal;
     (b) World War II Asiatic-Pacific campaign medal;
     (c) World War II European-African Middle East campaign medal;
     (d) World War II American campaign medal;
     (e) Korean service medal;
     (f) Vietnam service medal;
     (g) Armed forces expeditionary medal awarded after 1958; and
     (h) Southwest Asia medal.
     The director may issue additional campaign ribbon emblems by rule as authorized decorations by the United States department of defense.
     (4) The following military service award emblems are available:
     (a) Distinguished Service Cross;
     (b) Navy Cross;
     (c) Air Force Cross;
     (d) Bronze Star medal; and
     (e) Silver Star medal.
     (5) Veterans or active duty military personnel requesting a veteran remembrance emblem ((or)), campaign medal emblem, or military service award emblem or emblems must:
     (a) Pay a prescribed fee set by the department; and
     (b) Show proof of eligibility through:
     (i) Providing a DD-214 or discharge papers if a veteran;
     (ii) Providing a copy of orders awarding a campaign ribbon if an individual serving on military active duty; ((or))
     (iii) Providing a copy of orders awarding a military service award; or
     (iv) Attesting in a notarized affidavit of their eligibility as required under this section.
     (((5))) (6) Veterans or active duty military personnel who purchase a veteran remembrance emblem ((or a)), campaign medal emblem, or military service award emblem must be the legal or registered owner of the vehicle on which the emblem is to be displayed.

Sec. 2   RCW 46.16A.215 and 2011 c 171 s 48 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The director may adopt fees to be charged by the department for emblems issued by the department under RCW 46.18.295.
     (2) The fee for each remembrance emblem and military service award emblem issued under RCW 46.18.295 shall be in an amount sufficient to offset the costs of production of remembrance emblems and military service award emblems and the administration of that program by the department plus an amount for use by the department of veterans affairs, not to exceed a total fee of twenty-five dollars per emblem.
     (3) The veterans' emblem account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts by the department from the issuance of remembrance emblems and military service award emblems under RCW 46.18.295 shall be deposited into this fund. Expenditures from the fund may be used only for the costs of production of remembrance emblems and military service award emblems and administration of the program by the department of licensing, with the balance used only by the department of veterans affairs for projects that pay tribute to those living veterans and to those who have died defending freedom in our nation's wars and conflicts and for the upkeep and operations of existing memorials, as well as for planning, acquiring land for, and constructing future memorials. Only the director of licensing, the director of veterans affairs, or their designees may authorize expenditures from the fund. The fund is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for expenditures.