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CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5444 Chapter 385, Laws of 2025 69TH LEGISLATURE 2025 REGULAR SESSION LICENSE PLATES—SPECIAL AND PERSONALIZED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 27, 2025—Except for sections 3 through 24, which take effect November 1, 2025. Passed by the Senate April 25, 2025 Yeas 47 Nays 1 DENNY HECK President of the Senate Passed by the House April 24, 2025 Yeas 96 Nays 2 LAURIE JINKINS Speaker of the House of Representatives CERTIFICATE I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5444 as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth. SARAH BANNISTER Secretary Secretary Approved May 20, 2025 10:46 AM FILED May 21, 2025 BOB FERGUSON Governor of the State of Washington Secretary of State State of Washington SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5444 AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE Passed Legislature - 2025 Regular Session State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senate Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Cortes, Chapman, Lovick, Nobles, Riccelli, and C. Wilson) READ FIRST TIME 04/08/25. AN ACT Relating to special license plates and personalized license plates; amending RCW 46.18.060, 44.04.300, 43.60A.140, and 46.17.210; reenacting and amending RCW 46.17.220, 46.18.200, 46.68.420, and 46.68.425; adding new sections to chapter 46.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.18 RCW; creating new sections; repealing RCW 43.388.040; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON: Sec. 1. RCW 46.18.060 and 2017 3rd sp.s. c 25 s 40 are each amended to read as follows: (1) The department must review and either approve or reject special license plate applications submitted by sponsoring organizations. Except for special license plates created under this act, the department may not issue any new special license plates until January 1, 2029, and therefore no applications for any new special license plates may be accepted until January 1, 2029. The department must prominently display this special license plate moratorium on its website. (2) Duties of the department include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) Review and approve the annual financial reports submitted by sponsoring organizations with active special license plate series and present those annual financial reports to the joint transportation committee; (b) Report annually to the joint transportation committee on the special license plate applications that were considered by the department; (c) Issue approval and rejection notification letters to sponsoring organizations, the executive committee of the joint transportation committee, and the legislative sponsors identified in each application. The letters must be issued within seven days of making a determination on the status of an application; and (d) Review annually the number of plates sold for each special license plate series created after January 1, 2003. The department may submit a recommendation to discontinue a special plate series to the executive committee of the joint transportation committee. NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The high cost of implementing a new special license plate series, coupled with the uncertainty of the state's ability to recoup its costs, has led the legislature to delay the implementation of new special license plates. In order to address these issues, it is the intent of the legislature to create a mechanism that will allow for the opportunity to review and evaluate the special license plate process, to ensure efficacy of the program, and to ensure this program does not result in undue costs to the state of Washington. (2)(a) The department of licensing must convene a special license work group to conduct a comprehensive review of current provisions associated with special license plates. (b) The membership of the work group will be determined by the department of licensing, but the interests represented must include internal and external entities involved in the approval, reporting, and issuance of special license plates. (c) Each calendar year, the members of the joint transportation committee must be invited to attend at least one of the work group meetings. (d) By December 1st of calendar years 2025 through 2026, the work group must provide a status update and give a presentation to the joint transportation committee. (e) By November 15, 2027, the department of licensing must provide a preliminary final report and give a presentation to the joint transportation committee detailing its preliminary recommendations as specified in subsection (3) of this section. (f) Based on the direction and input provided by the joint transportation committee, the department of licensing must then submit a final report with draft legislation to the transportation committees of the legislature by January 1, 2028. (3) The special license work group must review, analyze, and make recommendations on the following issues: (a) Developing more active review and oversight of special license plates by the joint transportation committee, including reviewing information submitted pursuant to RCW 46.18.060; (b) Increasing the signature and other application requirements for creating special license plates; (c) Removing the ability to create nonreviewed special license plates without meeting the signature and other application requirements; (d) Modifying the current startup and other cost commitments to create a new special license plate; (e) Making information more readily available to potential organizations sponsoring new special license plates of the average and likely net revenues raised by proposed special license plates before a sponsoring organization starts the application process; (f) Improving the transparency and availability of financial and use of special license plate proceeds information provided by special license plate sponsoring organizations on an annual basis; (g) Identifying metrics and methods by which the legislature and the department of licensing must use for the discontinuation of low performing special license plates; and (h) Implementing other mechanisms to make the special license plate application, creation process, and use of funds more rigorous and accountable. (4) This section expires January 15, 2028. Sec. 3. RCW 44.04.300 and 2005 c 319 s 12 are each amended to read as follows: (1) The joint transportation committee is created. The executive committee of the joint committee consists of the chairs and ranking members of the house and senate transportation committees. The chairs of the house and senate transportation committees shall serve as cochairs of the joint committee. All members of the house and senate standing committees on transportation are eligible for membership of the joint committee and shall serve when appointed by the executive committee. (2) The joint transportation committee shall review and research transportation programs and issues in order to educate and promote the dissemination of transportation research to state and local government policymakers, including legislators and associated staff. All four members of the executive committee shall approve the annual work plan. Membership of the committee may vary depending on the subject matter of oversight and research projects. The committee may also make recommendations for functional or performance audits to the transportation performance audit board. (3) The executive committee shall adopt rules and procedures for its operations. (4) By December 20, 2028, and at least every two years thereafter, the joint transportation committee must hold a work session on the implementation of special license plate process improvements established as a result of this act and other relevant issues as it may determine. Sec. 4. RCW 46.17.220 and 2022 c 239 s 1 and 2022 c 117 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows: In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application for a vehicle registration in chapter 46.16A RCW, the holder of a special license plate shall pay the appropriate special license plate fee as listed in this section. PLATE TYPE INITIAL FEE RENEWAL FEE DISTRIBUTED UNDER (1) 4-H $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (2) Amateur radio license $ 5.00 N/A RCW 46.68.070 (3) Armed forces $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (4) Breast cancer awareness $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (5) Collector vehicle $ 35.00 N/A RCW 46.68.030 (6) Collegiate $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.430 (7) Donate life $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (8) Endangered wildlife $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (((8) ))(9) Firefighter memorial $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (10) Fred Hutch $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((9) ))(11) Gonzaga University alumni association $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((10) ))(12) Helping kids speak $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((11) ))(13) Historical throwback $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (14) Horseless carriage $ 35.00 N/A RCW 46.68.030 (((12) ))(15) Keep kids safe $ 45.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (((13) ))(16) Keep Washington evergreen $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (17) Law enforcement memorial $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((14) ))(18) LeMay-America's Car Museum $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (19) Military affiliate radio system $ 5.00 N/A RCW 46.68.070 (((15) ))(20) Mount St. Helens $40.00 $30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (21) Music matters $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((16) ))(22) Nautical Northwest $40.00 $30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (23) Patches pal, or alternative name as designated by the department under RCW 46.04.383 $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((17) ))(24) Professional firefighters and paramedics $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((18) ))(25) Purple Heart $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (((19) ))(26) Ride share $ 25.00 N/A RCW 46.68.030 (((20) ))(27) San Juan Islands $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((21) ))(28) Seattle Mariners $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((22) ))(29) Seattle NHL hockey $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((23) ))(30) Seattle Reign FC $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (31) Seattle Seahawks $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((24) ))(32) Seattle Sounders FC $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((25) ))(33) Seattle Storm $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((26) ))(34) Seattle University $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((27) ))(35) Share the road $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((28) ))(36) Ski & ride Washington $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((29) ))(37) Smokey Bear $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (38) Square dancer $ 40.00 N/A RCW 46.68.070 (((30) ))(39) State flower $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (40) State sport $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((31) ))(41) United States Naval Academy $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (42) Volunteer firefighters $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((32) ))(43) Washington apples $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((33) ))(44) Washington farmers and ranchers $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((34) ))(45) Washington lighthouses $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((35) ))(46) Washington state aviation $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((36) ))(47) Washington state honey bees and pollinators $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (48) Washington state parks $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (((37) ))(49) Washington state wrestling $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((38) ))(50) Washington tennis $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((39) ))(51) Washington wine $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((40) ))(52) Washington's fish collection $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (((41) ))(53) Washington's national parks $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((42) ))(54) Washington's wildlife collection $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (((43) ))(55) We love our pets $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((44) ))(56) Wild on Washington $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (57) Working forests $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 Sec. 5. RCW 46.18.200 and 2022 c 239 s 2 and 2022 c 117 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows: (1) Special license plate series reviewed and approved by the department: (a) May be issued in lieu of standard issue or personalized license plates for vehicles required to display one and two license plates unless otherwise specified; (b) Must be issued under terms and conditions established by the department; (c) Must not be issued for vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW; and (d) Must display a symbol or artwork approved by the department. (2) The department approves and shall issue the following special license plates, subject to subsections (5) and (6) of this section: LICENSE PLATE DESCRIPTION, SYMBOL, OR ARTWORK 4-H Displays the "4-H" logo. Armed forces collection Recognizes the contribution of veterans, active duty military personnel, reservists, and members of the national guard, and includes six separate designs, each containing a symbol representing a different branch of the armed forces to include army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, and national guard. Breast cancer awareness Displays a pink ribbon symbolizing breast cancer awareness. Donate life Displays the donate life logo. Endangered wildlife Displays a symbol or artwork symbolizing endangered wildlife in Washington state. Firefighter memorial Displays a Maltese cross with the words "never forget." Fred Hutch Displays the Fred Hutch logo. Gonzaga University alumni association Recognizes the Gonzaga University alumni association. Helping kids speak Recognizes an organization that supports programs that provide no-cost speech pathology programs to children. Historical throwback Displays white lettering on a black background in a style similar to historical license plates issued in the early 20th century. Keep kids safe Recognizes efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect. Keep Washington evergreen Recognizes Washington as the evergreen state and funds electric charging stations. Displays green lettering on a white background in a style similar to the license plates issued by the department in the 1970s, but includes the words evergreen state along the bottom of the plate. Law enforcement memorial Honors law enforcement officers in Washington killed in the line of duty. LeMay-America's Car Museum Displays the LeMay-America's car museum logo, name, or related image. Mount St. Helens Displays an image of Mount St. Helens. Music matters Displays the "Music Matters" logo. Nautical Northwest Displays a Northwest maritime scene. Patches pal, or alternative name as designated by the department under RCW 46.04.383 Displays the likenesses of the J.P. Patches and Gertrude characters from the J.P. Patches show, or characters otherwise identified in accordance with RCW 46.04.383. Professional firefighters and paramedics Recognizes professional firefighters and paramedics who are members of the Washington state council of firefighters. San Juan Islands Displays a symbol or artwork recognizing the San Juan Islands. Seattle Mariners Displays the "Seattle Mariners" logo. Seattle NHL hockey Displays the logo of the Seattle NHL hockey team. Seattle Reign FC Displays the "Seattle Reign FC" logo. Seattle Seahawks Displays the "Seattle Seahawks" logo. Seattle Sounders FC Displays the "Seattle Sounders FC" logo. Seattle Storm Displays the "Seattle Storm" logo. Seattle University Recognizes Seattle University. Share the road Recognizes an organization that promotes bicycle safety and awareness education. Ski & ride Washington Recognizes the Washington snowsports industry. Smokey Bear Displays the name, image, and likeness of Smokey Bear and messages for wildfire prevention. State flower Recognizes the Washington state flower. State sport Recognizes the Washington state sport of pickleball. United States Naval Academy Displays a design related to the United States Naval Academy. Volunteer firefighters Recognizes volunteer firefighters. Washington apples Displays the Washington apple logo that recognizes the state's apple industry, the growers and shippers who produce and pack the world famous apples, and the tree fruit community. Washington farmers and ranchers Recognizes farmers and ranchers in Washington state. Washington lighthouses Recognizes an organization that supports selected Washington state lighthouses and provides environmental education programs. Washington state aviation Displays a Stearman biplane in the foreground with an image of Mount Rainier in the background. Washington state honey bees and pollinators Displays honey bees and pollinators. Washington state parks Recognizes Washington state parks as premier destinations of uncommon quality that preserve significant natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources. Washington state wrestling Promotes and supports college wrestling in the state of Washington. Washington tennis Builds awareness and year-round opportunities for tennis in Washington state. Displays a symbol or artwork recognizing tennis in Washington state. Washington wine Displays a landscape of Washington's wine regions. Washington's fish collection Recognizes Washington's fish. Washington's national park fund Builds awareness of Washington's national parks and supports priority park programs and projects in Washington's national parks, such as enhancing visitor experience, promoting volunteerism, engaging communities, and providing educational opportunities related to Washington's national parks. Washington's wildlife collection Recognizes Washington's wildlife. We love our pets Recognizes an organization that assists local member agencies of the federation of animal welfare and control agencies to promote and perform spay/neuter surgery on Washington state pets to reduce pet overpopulation. Wild on Washington Symbolizes wildlife viewing in Washington state. Working forests Displays an image embodying working forests. (3) Applicants for initial and renewal professional firefighters and paramedics special license plates must show proof of eligibility by providing a certificate of current membership from the Washington state council of firefighters. (4) Applicants for initial volunteer firefighters special license plates must (a) have been a volunteer firefighter for at least ((ten ))10 years or be a volunteer firefighter for one or more years and (b) have documentation of service from the district of the appropriate fire service. If the volunteer firefighter leaves firefighting service before ((ten ))10 years of service have been completed, the volunteer firefighter shall surrender the license plates to the department on the registration renewal date. If the volunteer firefighter stays in service for at least ((ten ))10 years and then leaves, the license plate may be retained by the former volunteer firefighter and as long as the license plate is retained for use the person will continue to pay the future registration renewals. A qualifying volunteer firefighter may have no more than one set of license plates per vehicle, and a maximum of two sets per applicant, for their personal vehicles. If the volunteer firefighter is convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or a felony, the license plates must be surrendered upon conviction. (5) The department shall not issue the Seattle NHL hockey special license plate until the department receives signature sheets satisfying the requirements identified in RCW 46.18.110(2)(f). (6) Except for special license plates created under this act and as specified in this subsection, the department may not issue any new special license plates until January 1, 2029. (a) Beginning November 1, 2025, the department must begin the phased issuance of any of the special license plates created under this act for which the department has received signature sheets that satisfy the requirements identified in RCW 46.18.110(2)(f) before March 1, 2025, the keep Washington evergreen special license plate, and the historical throwback special license plate. (b) The department must then begin the phased issuance of any of the special license plates created under this act for which the department has received signature sheets after March 1, 2025, that satisfy the requirements identified in RCW 46.18.110(2)(f), with the order of implementation occurring based on the 3,500 signature submission date and the department's ability to implement additional special license plates. Sec. 6. RCW 46.68.420 and 2022 c 239 s 3, 2022 c 117 s 3, and 2022 c 96 s 4 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows: (1) The department shall: (a) Collect special license plate fees established under RCW 46.17.220; (b) Deduct an amount not to exceed ((twelve dollars ))$12 for initial issue and two dollars for renewal issue for administration and collection expenses incurred by it; and (c) Remit the remaining proceeds to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying detailed report. (2) The state treasurer shall credit the proceeds to the motor vehicle fund until the department determines that the state has been reimbursed for the cost of implementing the special license plate. Upon determination by the department that the state has been reimbursed, the state treasurer shall credit the remaining special license plate fee amounts for each special license plate to the following appropriate account as created in this section in the custody of the state treasurer: ACCOUNT CONDITIONS FOR USE OF FUNDS 4-H programs Support Washington 4-H programs Donate life Provides funds to life center Northwest to build awareness for organ donation and encourage a positive, inclusive sentiment around organ donation registration Firefighter memorial Provides funds first to the fallen firefighter memorial account for construction and maintenance of the firefighter memorial on the capitol campus with any amounts in excess of what is needed for the firefighter memorial to be provided to the Washington state council of firefighters memorial account Fred Hutch Support cancer research at the Fred Hutchinson cancer research center Gonzaga University alumni association Scholarship funds to needy and qualified students attending or planning to attend Gonzaga University Helping kids speak Provide free diagnostic and therapeutic services to families of children who suffer from a delay in language or speech development Historical throwback Provide funds for expanding and improving driver's education programs and activities Law enforcement memorial Provide support and assistance to survivors and families of law enforcement officers in Washington killed in the line of duty and to organize, finance, fund, construct, utilize, and maintain a memorial on the state capitol grounds to honor those fallen officers LeMay-America's Car Museum Provide funds to promote, encourage, and inspire students and the community to understand the role of automobiles in our culture and economy through education, interpretive programs, and job training; to open doors to learning through science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM); and to inspire a new generation of skilled trade workers, engineers, designers, artists, and enthusiasts Lighthouse environmental programs Support selected Washington state lighthouses that are accessible to the public and staffed by volunteers; provide environmental education programs; provide grants for other Washington lighthouses to assist in funding infrastructure preservation and restoration; encourage and support interpretive programs by lighthouse docents Mount St. Helens Promote education, stewardship, and science at Mount St. Helens through the Mount St. Helens institute Music matters awareness Promote music education in schools throughout Washington Nautical Northwest Support historic resources of Whidbey Island's maritime communities Patches pal, or alternative name as designated by the department under RCW 46.04.383 Provide funds to the Seattle children's hospital strong against cancer program San Juan Islands programs Provide funds to the Madrona institute Seattle Mariners Provide funds to the ((sports mentoring program and to support the Washington world fellows program in the following manner: (a) Seventy-five percent to the Washington state leadership board solely to administer the sports mentoring program established under RCW 43.388.040, to encourage youth who have economic needs or face adversities to experience spectator sports or get involved in youth sports, and (b) up to twenty-five percent to the Washington state leadership board solely to administer the Washington world fellows program, an equity focused program ))Mariners care foundation, or its successor organization Seattle NHL hockey Provide funds to the NHL Seattle foundation and to support the boundless Washington program in the following manner: (a) ((Fifty ))50 percent to the NHL Seattle foundation, or its successor organization, to help marginalized youth succeed in life through increased access to sports and other opportunities; (b) ((twenty-five ))25 percent to the Washington state leadership board solely to administer the boundless Washington program to facilitate opportunities for young people with physical and sensory disabilities to enjoy and experience the outdoors; and (c) ((twenty-five ))25 percent to the NHL Seattle foundation, or its successor organization, for providing financial support to allow youth to participate in hockey Seattle Reign FC Provide funds to the RAVE foundation to inspire youth in underserved communities using soccer as a vehicle Seattle Seahawks Provide funds to ((InvestED and to support the Washington world fellows program in the following manner: (a) Seventy-five percent, to InvestED, to encourage secondary students who have economic needs to stay in school, return to school, or get involved within their learning community; and (b) twenty-five percent to the Washington state leadership board solely to administer the Washington world fellows program, including the provision of fellowships ))the Seattle Seahawks charitable foundation and to support the Washington state leadership board in the following manner: (a) Seventy-five percent to the Seattle Seahawks charitable foundation; and (b) 25 percent to the Washington state leadership board Seattle Sounders FC Provide funds to ((Washington state mentors and the Washington state leadership board in the following manner: (a) Seventy percent and the remaining proceeds, if any, to Washington state mentors, to increase the number of mentors in the state by offering mentoring grants throughout Washington state that foster positive youth development and academic success, with up to twenty percent of these proceeds authorized for program administration costs; and (b) up to thirty percent, not to exceed forty-thousand dollars annually as adjusted for inflation by the office of financial management, to the Washington state leadership board, to develop Washington state educational, veterans, international relations, and civics projects and to recognize the outstanding public service of individuals or groups in the state of Washington ))the RAVE foundation and to support the Washington state leadership board in the following manner: (a) 75 percent to the RAVE foundation; and (b) 25 percent to the Washington state leadership board Seattle Storm Provide funds to the Washington state legislative youth advisory council and the Washington state leadership board in the following manner: ((Twenty-five thousand dollars ))$25,000 per year of the net proceeds to the legislative youth advisory council, or its successor organization; and the remaining net proceeds on an annual basis, to the Washington state leadership board for the purpose of providing grants to support and enhance athletic, recreational, and other opportunities for women and girls, and especially those with disabilities Seattle University Fund scholarships for students attending or planning to attend Seattle University Share the road Promote bicycle safety and awareness education in communities throughout Washington Ski & ride Washington Promote winter snowsports, such as skiing and snowboarding, and related programs, such as ski and ride safety programs, underprivileged youth ski and ride programs, and active, healthy lifestyle programs State flower Support Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens and provide for grants to other qualified nonprofit organizations' efforts to preserve rhododendrons State sport Provide funds to be placed in a trust account managed by the Seattle metro pickleball association to be used exclusively for the construction and maintenance of dedicated pickleball courts Volunteer firefighters Receive and disseminate funds for purposes on behalf of volunteer firefighters, their families, and others deemed in need Washington apples Provide scholarship funding to the tree fruit industry's official charity, the Washington apple education foundation, which provides financial support, professional employment preparedness training, and mentorship to students with ties to the apple industry pursuing a higher education Washington farmers and ranchers Provide funds to the Washington FFA Foundation for educational programs in Washington state Washington state aviation Provide funds to the department of transportation to support infrastructure improvements at public use airports in Washington state Washington state council of firefighters benevolent fund Receive and disseminate funds for charitable purposes on behalf of members of the Washington state council of firefighters, their families, and others deemed in need Washington state honey bees and pollinators Provide funds to the Washington state beekeepers association to support research and educational activities and materials about honey bees and pollinators within Washington state Washington state wrestling Provide funds to the Washington state wrestling foundation to fund new and existing college wrestling programs Washington tennis Provide funds to cities to assist in the construction and maintenance of a public tennis facility with at least four indoor tennis courts. A city is eligible for construction funds if the city does not already have a public or private facility with at least four indoor tennis courts. Funds for construction must first be made available to the most populous eligible city, according to the most recent census, for a time period not to exceed five years after January 1, 2017. After the five-year time period, the funds for construction must be made available to the next most populous eligible city. Funds for the maintenance of a public tennis facility with at least four indoor tennis courts must first be made available to the first eligible city that utilizes funds for construction provided by chapter 16, Laws of 2016 Washington wine Provide funds to the state of Washington tourism to promote tourism throughout Washington state Washington's national park fund Build awareness of Washington's national parks and support priority park programs and projects in Washington's national parks, such as enhancing visitor experience, promoting volunteerism, engaging communities, and providing educational opportunities related to Washington's national parks We love our pets Support and enable the Washington federation of animal welfare and control agencies to promote and perform spay/neuter surgery of Washington state pets in order to reduce pet population Working forests Provide funds to the Washington tree farm program to support small forest landowners to sustainably manage over 400,000 acres of private forestland (3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, only the director or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the accounts described in subsection (2) of this section. The accounts are subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures. (4) Except as otherwise provided in this section, funds in the special license plate accounts described in subsection (2) of this section must be disbursed subject to the conditions described in subsection (2) of this section and under contract between the department and qualified nonprofit organizations that provide the services described in subsection (2) of this section. (5) Funds from the Seattle Seahawks account may be provided to the Washington state leadership board solely for the purpose of administering the Washington world fellows program. Of the amounts received by the Washington state leadership board under this subsection, at least ((ninety ))90 percent must be provided as fellowships under the program. (6) Beginning January 1, 2019, funds from the Seattle Mariners account may be provided to the Washington state leadership board solely for the purpose of administering the sports mentoring program. Of the amounts received by the Washington state leadership board, at least ((ninety ))90 percent must be applied towards services directly provided to youth participants. (7) For the purposes of this section, a "qualified nonprofit organization" means a not-for-profit corporation operating in Washington that has received a determination of tax exempt status under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3). The qualified nonprofit organization must meet all the requirements under RCW 46.18.100(1). Sec. 7. RCW 46.68.425 and 2016 c 31 s 3 and 2016 c 30 s 4 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows: (1) The department shall: (a) Collect special license plate fees established under RCW 46.17.220; (b) Deduct an amount not to exceed ((twelve dollars ))$12 for initial issue and ((two dollars ))$2 for renewal issue for administration and collection expenses incurred by it; and (c) Remit the remaining proceeds to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying detailed report. (2) The state treasurer shall credit the proceeds to the motor vehicle fund until the department determines that the state has been reimbursed for the cost of implementing the special license plate. Upon determination by the department that the state has been reimbursed, the state treasurer shall credit the remaining special license plate fees to the following accounts by special license plate type: SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE TYPE ACCOUNT CONDITIONS FOR USE OF FUNDS Armed forces RCW 43.60A.140 As specified in RCW 43.60A.140(4) Breast cancer awareness RCW 43.70.327 Must be used only by the department of health for efforts consistent with the breast, cervical, and colon health program Endangered wildlife RCW 77.12.170 Must be used only for the department of fish and wildlife's endangered wildlife program activities Historical throwback RCW 46.68.060 Provides funds for expanding and improving driver's education programs and activities Keep kids safe RCW 43.121.100 As specified in RCW 43.121.100 Keep Washington evergreen RCW 82.44.200 Support of electric charging stations throughout Washington Purple Heart RCW 43.60A.140 As specified in RCW 43.60A.140(4) Smokey Bear wildfire prevention RCW 76.04.511 Only for the department of natural resources to use for wildfire prevention programs United States Naval Academy RCW 43.60A.140 As specified in RCW 43.60A.140(4) Washington state parks RCW 79A.05.059 Provide public educational opportunities and enhancement of Washington state parks Washington's fish collection RCW 77.12.170 Only for the department of fish and wildlife's use to support steelhead species management activities including, but not limited to, activities supporting conservation, recovery, and research to promote healthy, fishable steelhead Washington's wildlife collection RCW 77.12.170 Only for the department of fish and wildlife's game species management activities Wild on Washington RCW 77.12.170 Dedicated to the department of fish and wildlife's watchable wildlife activities, as defined in RCW 77.32.560 Sec. 8. RCW 43.60A.140 and 2023 c 327 s 2 are each amended to read as follows: (1) The veterans stewardship account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Disbursements of funds must be on the authorization of the director or the director's designee, and only for the purposes stated in subsection (4) of this section. In order to maintain an effective expenditure and revenue control, funds are subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required to permit expenditure of the funds. (2) The department may request and accept nondedicated contributions, grants, or gifts in cash or otherwise, including funds generated by the issuance of the armed forces license plate collection and the United States Naval Academy license plate under chapter 46.18 RCW. (3) All receipts from the sale of armed forces license plates, United States Naval Academy license plates, and Purple Heart license plates as required under RCW 46.68.425(2) must be deposited into the veterans stewardship account. (4) All moneys deposited into the veterans stewardship account must be used by the department for activities that benefit veterans or their families, including but not limited to, providing programs and services for homeless veterans; establishing memorials honoring veterans; and maintaining state veterans' cemeteries. Funds from the account may not be used to supplant existing funds received by the department. NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "Keep Washington evergreen license plate" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display green lettering on a white background in a style similar to the license plates issued by the department in the 1970s. NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A new section is added to chapter 46.18 RCW to read as follows: (1) The department shall create, design, and issue a keep Washington evergreen license plate that may be used in lieu of standard issue or personalized license plates for motor vehicles required to display one or two license plates, excluding vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW, upon terms and conditions established by the department. (2) A registered owner may apply to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director for a keep Washington evergreen license plate. The registered owner shall pay the special license plate fee required under RCW 46.17.220(16), in addition to any other fee or tax required by law. NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "LeMay-America's Car Museum license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display the LeMay-America's car museum logo, name, or related image. NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "Mount St. Helens license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display an image of Mount St. Helens. NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "Nautical Northwest license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a Northwest maritime scene. NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "Smokey Bear license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display the name, image, and likeness of Smokey Bear promoting wildfire prevention and the state department of natural resources' wildland wildfire program. NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "Working forests license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display images embodying working forests. NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "State sport license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that recognize the state sport of pickleball. NEW SECTION. Sec. 17. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "Seattle Reign FC license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display the logo of the Seattle Reign FC. NEW SECTION. Sec. 18. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "Washington honey bees and pollinators license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display images of honey bees and pollinators. NEW SECTION. Sec. 19. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "Firefighter memorial license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display the Maltese cross with the words "never forget." NEW SECTION. Sec. 20. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "Donate life license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that displays the donate life logo. NEW SECTION. Sec. 21. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "United States Naval Academy license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display a design related to the United States Naval Academy. NEW SECTION. Sec. 22. A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows: "Historical throwback license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display white lettering on a black background in a style similar to historical license plates issued in the early 20th century. Sec. 23. RCW 46.17.210 and 2013 c 329 s 6 are each amended to read as follows: In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application for a vehicle registration under chapter 46.16A RCW, the holder of a personalized license plate shall pay an initial fee of ((fifty-two dollars ))$52 and ((forty-two dollars ))$52 for each renewal. The personalized license plate fee must be distributed as provided in RCW 46.68.435. NEW SECTION. Sec. 24. RCW 43.388.040 (Sports mentoring program) and 2022 c 96 s 7 & 2018 c 67 s 3 are each repealed. NEW SECTION. Sec. 25. Sections 3 through 24 of this act take effect November 1, 2025. NEW SECTION. Sec. 26. This act is known as Bill's bill act. Passed by the Senate April 25, 2025. Passed by the House April 24, 2025. Approved by the Governor May 20, 2025. Filed in Office of Secretary of State May 21, 2025.
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.