SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2013

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Allows Washington residents who are veterans of Allied Forces and were discharged under honorable conditions to apply for and receive Allied Forces veteran remembrance emblems for display on license plates.
Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to certify an applicant's Allied Forces veteran status.

Background: United States veterans discharged under honorable conditions and individuals serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces may purchase a veteran remembrance emblem or campaign medal emblem for display on license plates. United States 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.

Veterans or active duty military personnel requesting a veteran remembrance emblem or campaign medal emblem must pay a prescribed fee set by the Department of Licensing (DOL), show proof of eligibility, and be the legal or registered owner of the vehicle on which the emblem is to be displayed. DOL must set fees for veteran remembrance and campaign medal emblems in an amount sufficient to offset the costs of production of the emblems and the administration of that program by DOL, plus an amount for use by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). The fee for each emblem may not exceed $25 and is currently set at $15. Funds provided to DVA may be used for projects that pay tribute to living veterans and to veterans who have died defending freedom in the nation's wars and conflicts, for the upkeep and operations of existing memorials, and for planning, acquiring land for, and constructing future memorials.

Allied Forces are military forces of other countries that are or were allies to and supported the United States during periods of war or armed conflict. Veterans of Allied Forces who are now Washington residents are not eligible to receive veteran remembrance emblems or campaign medal emblems because they do not meet the qualification requirement of showing proof of United States military service.

Summary of Bill: Washington residents who are veterans of Allied Forces and were discharged under honorable conditions may apply for and receive Allied Forces veteran remembrance emblems for display on license plates. DOL is required to create and make available an Allied Forces veteran remembrance emblem, and the DVA is required to provide the certification of an applicant's Allied Forces veteran status. Allied Forces veterans requesting an Allied Forces veteran remembrance emblem must pay a prescribed fee set by the DOL and provide certification from the DVA that they qualify for the emblem.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: These new license plate emblems will recognize the service of and honor veterans of the United States' Allied Forces for the contributions they made to our country. While many immigrants while citizens of their former country fought along the United States in armed conflicts, they do not qualify for the current veteran related designations because they were not serving in the United States military. These emblems are a small gesture to recognize their service. One example are the Korean soldiers that provided support to the United States in the Vietnam War and are classified as Korean Augmentation To the United States Army and many of these former soldiers have subsequently emigrated to Washington State. The individuals receiving these emblems will have to provide documentation of their service in the armed forces aligned with the United States.