Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 2406

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.

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 of creating 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, retains an amount not to exceed $12 for new plate issuance and $2 for renewal of the plate. The State Treasurer then deposits the remaining proceeds into the Motor Vehicle Account until the DOL determines that the start-up fee of $6,300 is paid. Once the start-up fee is paid, the State Treasurer credits the remaining special license plate proceeds into an account specified for the sponsoring organization.

Washington State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Foundation. According to its mission statement, the Washington State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Foundation (Foundation) is dedicated to the aid of any law enforcement member, agency, or family to assist during and after the exposure of a critical incident, so that they can return to their former level of function as soon as possible after traumatic event. The Foundation provides pre-incident training and education, critical incident stress management training, line of duty death and family assistance, and they also cooperate and network with victim's assistance programs to support law enforcement officers and their families.

Summary of Bill:

The Washington Law Enforcement Officer Health and Wellness special license plate is created to recognize the health and wellness of Washington's law enforcement officers (LEOs). 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 Washington Law Enforcement Officer Health and Wellness special license plate, and a $30 fee is charged for the renewal of the plate. Revenue from the fees collected for the special license plates will provide funds to the Washington State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Foundation to support the health and wellness of LEOs and their families throughout the state who experience and risk exposure to sustained amounts of stress and trauma.