SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5590
As of Third Reading
Title: An act relating to creating Mount St. Helens special license plates.
Brief Description: Creating Mount St. Helens special license plates.
Sponsors: Senators Wilson, L., Hunt, Braun, Dozier, Hawkins, Kuderer, Lovick, Wellman and Wilson, J..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/06/23, 3/09/23 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Creates the Mount St. Helens special license plate.
  • Directs proceeds from the special license plate to promote education, stewardship, and science at Mount St. Helens through the Mount St. Helens Institute.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Liias, Chair; Lovick, Vice Chair; Shewmake, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Cleveland, Fortunato, Kauffman, Lovelett, Nobles, Padden, Randall, Valdez, Wilson, C. and Wilson, J..
Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)
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 DOL or requests legislation to create the special plate.

Under the DOL application method, the application packet must include the design of the special license plate, proof of 3500 signatures in support of the special license plate, and a start-up fee of $6,300.  For special license plates enacted by the Legislature, a sponsoring organization must submit prepayment of all start-up costs to DOL within 30 days of enactment.
 
The sponsoring organization seeking to sponsor the special plate is required to reimburse DOL for the costs of establishing the new special plate.  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 off any costs associated with establishing the new plate.  The sponsoring organization must also provide a proposed license plate design to DOL.  The sponsoring organization must submit an annual financial report to DOL detailing actual revenues generated from the sale of the special license plate.  The reports are reviewed, approved, and presented to the Joint Transportation Committee.
 
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 the proceeds into the Motor Vehicle Account until DOL determines the start-up costs for a special license plate are paid.  After that point, all remaining proceeds go to the sponsoring organization.
Summary of Bill:

The Mount St. Helens special license plate is created.  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 Mount St. Helens special license plate, and a $30 fee is charged for the renewal of the plate.  The net proceeds from the Mount St. Helens special license plate will provide funds to promote education, stewardship, and science at Mount St. Helens through the Mount St. Helens Institute.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on November 1, 2023.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  This is about recognizing an iconic landmark, and the special license plate funding will allow further study of the landscape and the aftermath of the eruption.  The institute provides stewardship and partners with others to provide outdoor recreation, and education dealing with the 1980 eruption and volcanic activities.  The resources provided by the new special license plate will allow us to further those efforts for the hundreds of thousands of visitors to Mount St. Helens each year.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Lynda Wilson, Prime Sponsor; Raymond Yurkewycz, Mount St Helens Institute.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.