Bill
SB 5590
Creates a Mount St. Helens special license plate; proceeds fund Mount St. Helens Institute education, stewardship, and science programs (initial $40, renewal $30).
Status snapshot
- Title: Creating Mount St. Helens special license plates
- Primary intent: Establish a Mount St. Helens-themed special vehicle license plate and direct proceeds to support education, stewardship, and science at Mount St. Helens through the Mount St. Helens Institute.
- Latest procedural status in provided record: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading (3/7/2024). House Transportation committee recommended “do pass” (2/21/2024).
- Effective date in bill text: October 1, 2024.
- Appropriation: None. Fiscal note: preliminary/available.
Purpose and intent
- Create a State of Washington special license plate featuring Mount St. Helens and use fee proceeds to fund Mount St. Helens Institute programs that promote education, stewardship, and scientific work related to Mount St. Helens.
Key provisions
- Creation: Adds “Mount St. Helens” to the list of department-approved special license plates and specifies that the plate will display an image of Mount St. Helens.
- Fees:
- Original issuance (initial) special plate fee: $40 (in addition to regular registration fees/taxes).
- Renewal fee: $30 (in addition to regular renewal fees/taxes).
- Revenue handling:
- Department of Licensing (DOL) may deduct administrative expenses (not to exceed $12 for new plates and $2 for renewals).
- State Treasurer deposits proceeds into the Motor Vehicle Account until any required start‑up fee is recouped; thereafter remaining proceeds are credited to the account specified for the sponsoring organization (Mount St. Helens Institute).
- Sponsorship/start-up requirements (background statutory framework applied to this plate):
- A sponsoring organization for a special plate must be a nonprofit, a professional sports franchise in partnership with a nonprofit, or a government agency.
- Two paths exist: (1) apply to DOL first (requires plate design, proof of 3,500 signatures, and $6,300 start‑up fee), then seek legislation; or (2) legislate first, then provide design and $6,300 start‑up fee to DOL within 30 days of enactment.
- If the sponsor cannot pay the start‑up fee up front, revenues from plate sales may be used to pay it.
- Annual financial reporting to DOL on actual plate revenues; DOL compiles reports for legislative transportation committees.
Who is affected
- Vehicle owners who choose the Mount St. Helens special plate: pay the extra $40 initial fee and $30 on renewal (plus any standard registration fees).
- Mount St. Helens Institute: designated recipient of net proceeds to fund education, stewardship, science, and related programs.
- Department of Licensing and State Treasurer: responsible for plate production, fee collection, deductions for administrative costs, and appropriate accounting of proceeds.
- General public: potential indirect benefit through funded conservation/education programs and visitor services tied to Mount St. Helens.
Legislative and implementation notes
- No appropriation is included; administrative costs are covered via the allowed DOL deductions.
- Annual reporting by sponsor to DOL ensures transparency of revenue and use.
- The bill text includes statutory amendments to RCW chapters governing special plates, fees, and distribution mechanics.
- Record shows multiple session actions (introduced and progressed in 2023–2024). The legislative record supplied also includes a 2025 bill file using the same number but addressing a different subject (wolf predation pilot). Confirm session/year/version when citing or tracking final enactment.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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