HOUSE BILL REPORT
EHB 1996
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Amended by the Senate
Title: An act relating to creating a San Juan Islands stewardship special license plate.
Brief Description: Creating a San Juan Islands special license plate.
Sponsors: Representatives Lekanoff and Shewmake.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 2/28/19 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/13/19, 95-0.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 4/13/19, 43-1.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill |
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 24 members: Representatives Fey, Chair; Slatter, 2nd Vice Chair; Valdez, 2nd Vice Chair; Wylie, 1st Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Young, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chambers, Chapman, Dent, Doglio, Dufault, Entenman, Eslick, Goehner, Gregerson, Kloba, Lovick, Mead, Ortiz-Self, Pellicciotti, Ramos, Riccelli, Shewmake and Van Werven.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Boehnke, McCaslin, Orcutt and Shea.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Irwin.
Staff: Patricia Hasan (786-7292).
Background:
The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues special vehicle license plates that may be used in lieu of standard plates. An organization seeking to sponsor a special license plate must be a nonprofit organization, a professional sports franchise working in conjunction with a nonprofit organization, or a government agency. The sponsoring organization may choose one of two ways to create a special license plate.
Application Process and Legislation. In this method, a sponsoring organization submits an application to the DOL prior to pursuing legislation. The application packet must include the design of the special license plate, proof of 3,500 signatures in support of the special license plate, and the start-up fee of $6,300. After the DOL approves the application, the sponsoring organization must pursue legislation to create the special license plate.
Legislation Without the Department of Licensing's Review. In this method, a sponsoring organization pursues legislation without applying to the DOL first. Once the bill is enacted, the sponsoring organization must provide the design of the special license plate and the start-up fee of $6,300 to the DOL within 30 days.
In both methods, if the sponsoring organization can prove that they are unable to provide the start-up fee up front, then revenues from the sale of the special license plate will be used to pay this fee. On an annual basis, the sponsoring organization must submit a financial report to the DOL detailing actual revenues from the sale of the special license plate. The DOL compiles these reports and presents them to the transportation committees of the Legislature.
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 from each plate. After these expenses are paid, the State Treasurer deposits the proceeds into the Motor Vehicle Account until the DOL determines that the start-up fee for a special license plate are paid. Once the start-up fee is paid, the State Treasurer credits the remaining special license plate fee amounts into an account specified for the sponsoring organization.
Summary of Engrossed Bill:
The San Juan Islands special license plate is created with the purpose of providing funds to the Madrona Institute. In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application for a vehicle registration, a fee of $40 is charged for the original issuance of a San Juan Islands special license plate, and a $30 fee is charged for the renewal of the plate.
EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):
The Senate amendment changes the effective date of the bill from 90 days after the adjournment of the session in which the bill passed to October 1, 2019.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The San Juan Islands are the heart of Washington. The citizens living in the San Juan Islands are committed to making sure they are good stewards of the land, and the Madrona Institute provides opportunities to engage in stewardship. The institute's projects include land conservation, habitat and shoreline restoration, and cleaning beaches and shores to protect the land and the water.
The special license plate campaign has been active for several years. The San Juan Islands citizens are committed to helping fund youth conservation programs, conservation practices, habitat and water protection, and agricultural efforts.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Lekanoff, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.