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 Revised Code of Washington (RCW) (Last Updated: August 9, 2016)
 Title 46. MOTOR VEHICLES
 Chapter 46.18. Special license plates.

  Section 46.18.060. Department duties continued—Moratorium on issuance of special license plates, exceptions.  

Latest version.
  • (1) The department must review and either approve or reject special license plate applications submitted by sponsoring organizations.
    (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.
    (3) In order to assess the effects and impact of the proliferation of special license plates, the legislature declares a temporary moratorium on the issuance of any additional plates until July 1, 2015. During this period of time, the department is prohibited from accepting, reviewing, processing, or approving any applications. Additionally, a special license plate may not be enacted by the legislature during the moratorium, unless the proposed license plate has been approved by the former special license plate review board before February 15, 2005.
    (4) The limitations under subsection (3) of this section do not apply to the following special license plates:
    (a) 4-H license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (b) Breast cancer awareness license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (c) Gold star license plates created under RCW 46.18.245;
    (d) Music Matters license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (e) Seattle Seahawks license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (f) Seattle Sounders FC license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (g) Seattle University license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (h) State flower license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (i) Volunteer firefighter license plates created under RCW 46.18.200.
    [ 2014 c 77 § 5; 2014 c 6 § 4. Prior: 2013 c 306 § 703; 2013 c 286 § 5; 2012 c 65 § 6; prior: 2011 c 367 § 703; 2011 c 229 § 5; 2011 c 225 § 4; 2011 c 171 § 66; prior: 2010 1st sp.s. c 7 § 94; 2010 c 161 § 604; 2009 c 470 § 710; 2008 c 72 § 2; 2007 c 518 § 711; prior: 2005 c 319 § 119; 2005 c 210 § 7; 2003 c 196 § 103. Formerly RCW 46.16.725.]
    NOTES:
    Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2014 c 6 § 4 and by 2014 c 77 § 5, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).
    Effective date—2014 c 77: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2014 c 6: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2013 c 306: See note following RCW 47.64.170.
    Effective date—2013 c 286: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2012 c 65: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2011 c 367 §§ 703, 704, 716, and 719: "Sections 703, 704, 716, and 719 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect July 1, 2011." [ 2011 c 367 § 1103.]
    Effective date—2011 c 229: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2011 c 225: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Intent—Effective date—2011 c 171: See notes following RCW 4.24.210.
    Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.
    Effective date—2009 c 470: See note following RCW 46.68.170.
    Severability—Effective date—2007 c 518: See notes following RCW 46.68.170.
    Findings—Intent—Part headings—Effective dates—2005 c 319: See notes following RCW 43.17.020.
    Part headings not law—2003 c 196: See note following RCW 46.18.005.
    (1) The department must review and either approve or reject special license plate applications submitted by sponsoring organizations.
    (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.
    (3) In order to assess the effects and impact of the proliferation of special license plates, the legislature declares a temporary moratorium on the issuance of any additional plates until July 1, 2015. During this period of time, the department is prohibited from accepting, reviewing, processing, or approving any applications. Additionally, a special license plate may not be enacted by the legislature during the moratorium, unless the proposed license plate has been approved by the former special license plate review board before February 15, 2005.
    (4) The limitations under subsection (3) of this section do not apply to the following special license plates:
    (a) 4-H license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (b) Breast cancer awareness license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (c) Gold star license plates created under RCW 46.18.245;
    (d) Music Matters license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (e) Seattle Seahawks license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (f) Seattle Sounders FC license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (g) Seattle University license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (h) State flower license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (i) Volunteer firefighter license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (j) Washington farmers and ranchers license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (k) Washington state wrestling license plates created under RCW 46.18.200;
    (l) Washington tennis license plates created under RCW 46.18.200.
    [ 2016 c 36 § 4; 2016 c 16 § 4; 2016 c 15 § 4. Prior: 2014 c 77 § 5; 2014 c 6 § 4; prior: 2013 c 306 § 703; 2013 c 286 § 5; 2012 c 65 § 6; prior: 2011 c 367 § 703; 2011 c 229 § 5; 2011 c 225 § 4; 2011 c 171 § 66; prior: 2010 1st sp.s. c 7 § 94; 2010 c 161 § 604; 2009 c 470 § 710; 2008 c 72 § 2; 2007 c 518 § 711; prior: 2005 c 319 § 119; 2005 c 210 § 7; 2003 c 196 § 103. Formerly RCW 46.16.725.]
    NOTES:
    Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2016 c 15 § 4, 2016 c 16 § 4, and by 2016 c 36 § 4, each without reference to the other. All amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).
    Effective date—2016 c 36: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2016 c 16: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2016 c 15: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2014 c 77: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2014 c 6: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2013 c 306: See note following RCW 47.64.170.
    Effective date—2013 c 286: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2012 c 65: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2011 c 367 §§ 703, 704, 716, and 719: "Sections 703, 704, 716, and 719 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect July 1, 2011." [ 2011 c 367 § 1103.]
    Effective date—2011 c 229: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Effective date—2011 c 225: See note following RCW 46.18.200.
    Intent—Effective date—2011 c 171: See notes following RCW 4.24.210.
    Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.
    Effective date—2009 c 470: See note following RCW 46.68.170.
    Severability—Effective date—2007 c 518: See notes following RCW 46.68.170.
    Findings—Intent—Part headings—Effective dates—2005 c 319: See notes following RCW 43.17.020.
    Part headings not law—2003 c 196: See note following RCW 46.18.005.