HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1931
As Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
Title: An act relating to modifying the conditions for use of funds for special license plates.
Brief Description: Modifying the conditions for use of funds for special license plates.
Sponsors: Representatives Bernbaum and Richards.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 2/20/25, 2/27/25 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Directs proceeds from the sale of the Seattle Seahawks (Seahawks) special license plate to the Seahawks charitable foundation.
  • Directs proceeds from the sale of the Seattle Sounders FC special license plate to the RAVE Foundation.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by 27 members:Representatives Fey, Chair; Bernbaum, Vice Chair; Donaghy, Vice Chair; Reed, Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Low, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Mendoza, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Schmidt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bronoske, Dent, Duerr, Entenman, Griffey, Hunt, Klicker, Ley, Nance, Orcutt, Paul, Ramel, Richards, Stuebe, Taylor, Timmons, Volz, Wylie and Zahn.
Staff: Sandy Myer (786-7140).
Background:

The overall cost of implementing a new special vehicle license plate is approximately $30,000 and must be paid back in two years by the sponsoring organization.  Once the total cost is recouped, the proceeds of the plate sales will be distributed to the sponsoring organization.  The Department of Licensing (DOL) is allowed to retain $12 of the amount paid for special license plate issuance and $2 from the amount paid to renew the plates for administrative expenses.

 

The Seattle Seahawks special license plate is an existing special license plate where the DOL has recouped the cost of implementing the special license plate.  Proceeds from the sale of the plate after accounting for administrative expenses go to support the InvestED and the Washington State Leadership Board (Board).  InvestED helps students in need throughout Washington pay for items and opportunities with things like athletic fees, musical instruments, college entrance exams, and graduation expenses.  The Board administers the Washington World Fellows program, including the provision of fellowships.

 

The Seattle Sounders FC special license plate is an existing special license plate where the DOL has recouped the cost of implementing the special license plate.  Proceeds from the sale of the plate after accounting for administrative expenses go to support the Washington State Mentors to increase the number of mentors within the state and to the Board to develop educational, veterans, international relations, and civics projects, and to recognize the outstanding public service of individuals or groups in the State of Washington.
Summary of Substitute Bill:

Proceeds from the sale of the Seattle Seahawks (Seahawks) special license plate, after accounting for administrative expenses, are directed to the Seahawks charitable foundation and the Board.  Proceeds from the sale of the Seattle Sounders FC special license plate, after accounting for administrative expenses, are directed to the RAVE Foundation, the official charitable arm of the Seattle Sounders FC. 
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill adds the modification for use of funds for the Seattle Sounders FC special license plate.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: 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 purpose of this bill is to ensure there's this alignment between people who buy the specialty plates and the revenues they produce.  The Seahawks have made a commitment to working with the Board to replace some of the lost funding.  The Seahawks are in the middle of their fiftieth anniversary season and are working on an updated design for this special license plate.  The Seahawks charitable foundation has supported mental health in sports.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Representative Adam Bernbaum, prime sponsor; and Drew Johnston, Seattle Seahawks.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.