Bill
SB 5432
SB 5432 (2025 substitute) sets interagency rules to manage license-plate shortages: extend temporary plates, notify authorities, and allow third-party production to avoid outages.
Status snapshot
- Bill number: SB 5432 (original 2023 version and substitute 2025 versions).
- 2023 sponsor(s): Senators Hunt, Kuderer, Shewmake, Stanford, Van De Wege, C. Wilson; by request of the Lottery Commission.
- 2025 sponsor(s): Senate Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Liias, J. Wilson, Conway, Chapman, C. Wilson, Shewmake, Goehner, MacEwen, Nobles, Riccelli).
- Current procedural status: Reintroduced by resolution and retained in present status (reintroduced 01/08/2024). Legislative activity includes committee hearings and “do pass” recommendations in both 2023 (State Government & Elections) and 2025 (Transportation) sessions; substitute (2025) advanced to Rules.
This file contains two substantively different versions that have used the same bill number in successive sessions. Below are concise summaries of each.
Purpose
- To add (or clarify) a public-records exemption protecting the personal and financial information of state lottery players.
Key provisions
- Amends RCW 42.56.230 (the Public Records Act exemptions) to specify that:
- All personal and financial information concerning a player that is received or maintained by the Washington state lottery or any contracted lottery vendor is exempt from public inspection and copying,
- Except that the player's name and city or town of residence may be disclosed,
- Any additional information may be released only with the player’s prior written permission.
Who is affected / impact
- Protected: lottery players whose personal/financial information is collected by the Washington State Lottery or contracted vendors.
- Entities affected: Washington State Lottery, contracted lottery vendors, public records requesters.
- Effect: Limits public disclosure of sensitive player data (e.g., contact, financial details), reducing privacy and safety risks and clarifying release protocols.
Procedural notes
- Heard and passed (majority) in the Senate Committee on State Government & Elections (Jan–Feb 2023) and placed on the Senate Rules “X” file.
Purpose
- To create rules and interagency procedures to manage and mitigate shortages in permanent license plate production and distribution.
Key provisions
1. Amend RCW 46.16A.305 (temporary license plates)
- Confirms temporary plate issuance rules (description, fees, durability, display).
- By December 1, 2025 the Department of Licensing (DOL) must adopt rules to allow contingency extensions of department temporary license plate expiration dates during permanent plate shortages.
- Rules must prioritize reducing customer return trips and must include a communication plan with state and local law enforcement regarding contingency extensions.
Who is affected / impact
- Affected: Department of Licensing, Department of Corrections, county auditors and licensing agents, law enforcement (for communication), private vendors (potential contract opportunities), and vehicle owners awaiting plates.
- Impact: Provides statutory authority and timelines for contingency rulemaking, clarifies notification/coordination obligations, and authorizes temporary contracting with private plate manufacturers to reduce customer inconvenience and avoid operational disruptions caused by production shortages.
Procedural notes
- 2025 substitute received public hearing and committee action in the Senate Transportation Committee; committee recommended the 1st substitute bill be substituted and do pass; subsequently placed on Rules/X file.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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