Bill > SB5444

This bill comprehensively reforms special license plates in Washington state by establishing a temporary moratorium on new special license plate creation until January 1, 2029, and creating a special license work group to review and improve the special license plate process. The bill creates a mechanism to pause the introduction of new specialty plates and mandates a comprehensive review by the Department of Licensing, which must convene a work group to analyze issues such as oversight, application requirements, cost commitments, financial transparency, and metrics for discontinuing low-performing plates. The work group will provide status updates to the joint transportation committee in 2025 and 2026, submit a preliminary report by November 2027, and a final report with draft legislation by January 2028. Additionally, the bill introduces several new special license plate designs, including plates for Keep Washington Evergreen, LeMay-America's Car Museum, Mount St. Helens, Nautical Northwest, Smokey Bear, Working Forests, State Sport (Pickleball), Seattle Reign FC, Washington Honey Bees and Pollinators, Firefighter Memorial, Donate Life, and United States Naval Academy. Each new plate design is specifically described, and the bill modifies existing laws to accommodate these changes, with most provisions set to take effect on November 1, 2025.