SB 5444 — Creating several new 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 p.

3 SSB 5444 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.

PLATE TYPE INITIAL RENEDISTRIBUTED FEE FEE UNDER (1) 4-H $ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.420 (2) Amateur rad$ 5.00N/AeRCW 46.68.070 (3) Armed forc$ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.425 (4) Breast can$ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.425 (5) Collector $ 35.00N/A RCW 46.68.030 (6) Collegiate$ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.430 (7) Donate lif$ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.420 (8) Endangered$ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.425 p.

41 SSBSB 5444 (((8)))(7) (9)Endangered Firefighterwildlife $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.42046.68.425 memorial(8) (10) Fred Hutch $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((9)))(9) (11) Gonzaga University $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 University alumni association (((10)))(10) (12) Helping kids $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 speak (((11))) (13) Historical $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 throwback(11) (14) Horseless carriage $ 35.00 N/A RCW 46.68.030 (((12)))(12) (15) Keep kids saf$safe $ 45.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (((13)))(13) (16) Keep Washington $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 Washington evergreen (17)(14) Law enforcement $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 memorial (((14))) (18)(15) LeMay- $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 America's Car Museum (19)(16) Military affiliate radi$radio$ 5.00 N/A RCW 46.68.070 system (((15))) (20)(17) Mount St.

$40.00 $30.00 RCW 46.68.420 Helens (21)(18) Music matters $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((16))) (22)(19) Nautical $40.00 $30.00 RCW 46.68.420 Northwest (23)(20) Patches pal, or $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 alternative name as designated by the department under RCW 46.04.383 (((17))) (24)(21) Professional $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 firefighters and paramedics (((18))) (25)(22) Purple Heart $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (((19))) (26)(23) Ride share $ 25.00 N/A RCW 46.68.030 (((20))) (24) San Juan $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 Islands (((21))) (25) Seattle $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 Mariners p.

52 SSBSB 5444 (((20))) (27) San Juan $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 Islands (((21))) (28) Seattle $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 Mariners (((22))) (29)(26) Seattle NHL $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 hockey (((23))) (30)(27) Seattle Reign $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 FC (31) Seattle Seahawks $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((24))) (32)(28) Seattle $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 Sounders FC (((25))) (33)(29) Seattle Storm $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((26))) (34)(30) Seattle $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 University (((27))) (35)(31) Share the road $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((28))) (36)(32) Ski & ride $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 Washington (((29))) (37)(33) Smokey Bear $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.425 (38)(34) Square dancer $ 40.00 N/A RCW 46.68.070 (((30))) (39)(35) State flower $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (40)(36) State sport $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((31))) (41)(37) UnitedVolunteer States $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.42546.68.420 Navalfirefighters Academy(((32))) (42)(38) VolunteerWashington firefighters $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 (((32)))apples (43)(((33))) (39) Washington $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 applesfarmers (((33)))and (44)ranchers (((34))) (40) Washington $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 farmerslighthouses and(((35))) ranchers(41) (((34)))Washington (45)$ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 state aviation (((36))) (42) Washington $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.42046.68.425 lighthousesstate (((35)))parks (46)(((37))) (43) Washington $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 state aviationwrestling (((36)))(((38))) (47)(44) Washington $ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 statetennis honey(((39))) bees(45) andWashington pollinators$ 40.00 $ 30.00 RCW 46.68.420 wine p.

63 SSBSB 5444 (48) Washingto$ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.425 (((37))) (49) $ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.420 state wrestling (((38))) (50) $ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.420 tennis (((39))) (51) $ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.420 wine (((40))) (52)(46) $ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.425 fish collection (((41))) (53)(47) $ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.420 national parks (((42))) (54)(48) $ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.425 wildlife collection (((43))) (55)(49) $ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.420 pets (((44))) (56)(50) $ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.425 Washington (57)(51) Working f$ 40.0$ 30.RCW 46.68.420 Sec.

5.2.

(2) The department approves and shall issue the following special license plates, subject to subsectionssubsection (5) and (6) of this section:

74 SSBSB 5444 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.

Donate life Displays the donate life logo.

Firefighter memorial Displays a Maltese cross with the words "never forget." Fred Hutch Displays the Fred Hutch logo.

Historical throwback Displays white lettering on a black background in a style similar to historical license plates issued in the early 20th century.

p.Keep Washington evergreen Recognizes Washington as the evergreen state and funds electric charging stations.

8 SSB 5444 Keep Washington evergreen Recognizes Washington as the evergreen state and funds electric charging stations.

LeMay-America'sp. Car Museum Displays the LeMay-America's car museum logo, name, or related image.

5 SB 5444 LeMay-America's Car Museum Displays a style homage to classic Washington automobile plates.

p.

9 SSB 5444 Seattle Reign FC Displays the "Seattle Reign FC" logo.

Smokeyp. Bear Displays the name, image, and likeness of Smokey Bear and messages for wildfire prevention.

6 SB 5444 Smokey Bear Displays the name, image, and likeness of Smokey Bear and messages for wildfire prevention.

United States Naval Academy Displays a design related to the United States Naval Academy.

p.Washington state aviation Displays a Stearman biplane in the foreground with an image of Mount Rainier in the background.

10 SSB 5444 Washington state aviation Displays a Stearman biplane in the foreground with an image of Mount Rainier in the background.

Washington state honey bees and Displays honey bees and pollinators pollinators.

Washingtonp. tennis Builds awareness and year-round opportunities for tennis in Washington state.

7 SB 5444 Washington tennisBuilds awareness and year-round opportunities for tennis in Washington state.

Washington's fishfishRecognizes collection Recognizes Washington's fish.

Washington's nationalnatiBuilds 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 wildlifewildRecognizes collection Recognizes Washington's wildlife.

p.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.

11 SSB 5444 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.

(4) Applicants for initial volunteer firefighters special license plates must (a) have been a volunteer firefighter for at least ((ten))p. 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.

8 SB 5444 ((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.

(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.

p.

12 SSB 5444 (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.

6.3.

ACCOUNT CONDITIONS FOR USE OF FUNDS 4-H programs Support Washington 4-H programs p.

139 SSBSB 5444 Donate4-H lifeprograms ProvidesSupport fundsWashington to4-H lifeprograms centerFred NorthwestHutch toSupport buildcancer awarenessresearch forat organthe donationFred andHutchinson encouragecancer aresearch positive,center inclusiveGonzaga sentimentUniversity aroundalumni organScholarship donationfunds registrationto Firefighterneedy memorialand Providesassociation fundsqualified firststudents toattending theor fallenplanning firefighterto memorialattend accountGonzaga forUniversity constructionHelping andkids maintenancespeak ofProvide thefree firefighterdiagnostic memorialand ontherapeutic theservices capitolto campusfamilies withof anychildren amountswho insuffer excessfrom ofa whatdelay isin neededlanguage foror thespeech firefighterdevelopment Law enforcement memorial toProvide besupport providedand assistance to thesurvivors Washingtonand statefamilies council of firefighterslaw memorialenforcement accountofficers Fredin HutchWashington Supportkilled cancerin research at the Fredline Hutchinsonof cancerduty researchand centerto Gonzagaorganize, Universityfinance, alumnifund, Scholarshipconstruct, fundsutilize, toand needymaintain anda associationmemorial qualifiedon studentsthe attendingstate orcapitol planninggrounds to attendhonor Gonzagathose Universityfallen Helpingofficers kidsLeMay-America's speakCar Museum Provide freefunds diagnostic and therapeutic services to familiespromote, ofencourage, childrenand whoinspire sufferstudents fromand athe delaycommunity into languageunderstand orthe speechrole developmentof Historicalautomobiles throwbackin Provideour fundsculture for expanding and improvingeconomy driver'sthrough educationeducation, programsinterpretive programs, and activitiesjob p.training;

14 SSB 5444 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;

and to inspire a new generation of skilled trade workers, engineers, designers, artists, and enthusiasts Lighthousep. environmental Support selected Washington state programs lighthouses that are accessible to the public and staffed by volunteers;

10 SB 5444 Lighthouse environmental Support selected Washington state programs lighthouses that are accessible to the public and staffed by volunteers;

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 Provide funds to the Seattle as designated by the department children's hospital strong against under RCW 46.04.383 cancer program San Juan Islands programs Provide funds to the Madrona institute p.

1511 SSBSB 5444 Nautical Northwest Support historic resources of Whidbey Island's maritime communities Patches pal, or alternative nameProvide funds to the Seattle as designated by the department children's hospital strong against under RCW 46.04.383 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:

1612 SSBSB 5444 Seattle NHL hockeyhockeProvide Provide funds to the NHL Seattle foundation and to support the boundless Washington program in the following manner:

and)and ((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 p.

1713 SSBSB 5444 Seattle Seahawks Provide funds to ((InvestEDInvestED and to support the Washington world fellows program in the following manner:

(a) Seventy-five((Seventy-five)) 75 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((twenty- five)) 25 percent to the Washington state leadership board solely to administer the Washington world fellows program, including the provision of fellowships))fellowships thep. Seattle Seahawks charitable foundation and to support the Washington state leadership board in the following manner:

(a)14 Seventy-SB five5444 percentSeattle Sounders Provide funds to Washington state mentors and the SeattleWashington Seahawksstate charitableleadership foundation;board in the following manner:

and(a) (b)((Seventy)) 2570 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 leadershipthat boardfoster p.positive youth development and academic success, with up to ((twenty)) 20 percent of these proceeds authorized for program administration costs;

18and SSB((thirty)) 544430 Seattlepercent, Soundersnot Provideto fundsexceed to((forty-thousand ((Washingtondollars)) state$40,000 mentorsannually andas adjusted for inflation by the office of financial management, to the Washington state leadership boardboard, to develop Washington state educational, veterans, international relations, and civics projects and to recognize the outstanding public service of individuals or groups in the followingstate manner:of Washington p.

(a)15 SeventySB percent5444 andSeattle theStorm remainingProvide proceeds,funds if any, to the Washington state mentors,legislative toyouth increaseadvisory thecouncil numberand of mentors in the state by offering mentoring grants throughout Washington state thatleadership fosterboard positivein youththe developmentfollowing andmanner: 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 p.

19 SSB 5444 Seattle Storm Provide funds to the Washington state legislative youth advisory council and the Washington state leadership board in the following manner:

2016 SSBSB 5444 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 Receive and disseminate funds for firefighters benevolent fund charitable purposes on behalf of members of the Washington state council of firefighters, their families, and others deemed in need p.

2117 SSBSB 5444 Washington state honey bees and Provide funds to the Washington pollinators 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.

2218 SSBSB 5444 Washington's natiBuild 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.

2319 SSBSB 5444 solely for the purpose of administering the sports mentoring program.

7.4.

2420 SSBSB 5444 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 RCW 82.44.200 Support of electric evergreen charging stations throughout Washington Purple Heart RCW 43.60A.140 As specified in RCW 43.60A.140(4) Smokey Bear RCW 76.04.511 Only for the wildfire prevention department of natural resources to use for wildfire prevention programs United States Naval RCW 43.60A.140 As specified in RCW Academy 43.60A.140(4) Washington state RCW 79A.05.059 Provide public parks educational opportunities and enhancement of Washington state parks Washington's fish RCW 77.12.170 Only for the collection 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 p.

2521 SSBSB 5444 Washington'sRCW 77.12.1Only for the collection 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'sRCW 77.12.1Only for the wildlife collection department of fish and wildlife's game species management activities Wild on WashRCW 77.12.1Dedicated to the department of fish and wildlife's watchable wildlife activities, as defined in RCW 77.32.560 Sec.NEW SECTION.

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.

p.

26 SSB 5444 (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.

9.5.

10.6.

The registered owner shall pay the special license plate fee required under RCW 46.17.220(16),46.17.220(13), in addition to any other fee or tax required by law.

11.7.

"LeMay-America's Car Museum license plates" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display thea LeMay-America'sstyle carhomage museumto logo,classic name,Washington orautomobile relatedplates. image.

2722 SSBSB 5444 NEW SECTION.

12.8.

Helens license plates"plate" means special license plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that display an image of Mount St.

13.9.

14.10.

15.11.

16.12.

17.13.

AThis newact sectiontakes iseffect addedNovember to1, chapter2025. 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.

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28 SSB 5444 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.

Sections 3 through 23 of this act take effect November 1, 2025.

2923 SSBSB 5444