The bill amends Washington state law concerning special and personalized license plates, instituting a moratorium on the approval of new special license plates until January 1, 2029. During this period, the Department of Licensing will not accept new applications, but it will review existing applications submitted by sponsoring organizations. A special license work group is established to assess the current process and ensure it operates effectively without imposing excessive costs on the state. This group is required to provide annual updates and a final report with recommendations to the joint transportation committee by January 1, 2028.

In addition to the moratorium, the bill introduces several new special license plate designs, including "Working forests," "Donate Life," and "Firefighter Memorial," while modifying existing provisions related to fees and eligibility criteria for volunteer firefighter plates. The initial fee for issuing a special license plate is capped at $12, with a renewal fee of $2, directing proceeds to the motor vehicle fund until the state recoups implementation costs. After reimbursement, funds will be allocated to various initiatives, including educational programs and environmental support. The bill also establishes a veterans stewardship account to benefit veterans and their families, with a future effective date of November 1, 2025, for the new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Substitute Bill: 46.18.060, 44.04.300, 77.32.560, 46.17.210