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WashingtonHB 21142025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning defective license plates issued by the department of licensing.

Sponsored By: Andrew Engell (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Easier to read Washington plates

Starting January 1, 2027, Washington license plates must be easy to read and clearly say Washington. Plates must use reflective materials to improve visibility at night. Plates issued before January 1, 1968 are exempt.

Free or low-cost replacement for defective plates

Starting January 1, 2027, you can get a free replacement set if you ask within 24 months of when the defective plate was issued. The state waives all plate, filing, service, special plate, and personalized plate fees. From after 24 months through 60 months, the department may give a free set under its rules or charge the usual fees. A plate is defective when it no longer works, such as unreadable numbers, peeling or bubbling paint, or worn-out material. The department can require you to turn in the defective plate with your request. If one of a two-plate set is defective, you get a replacement set unless your vehicle only needs one plate. Fee waivers do not apply if the plate was tampered with or crash-damaged, is tied to a stolen vehicle and you are not the owner, you already got a replacement in the last five years, you are transferring the plate to another vehicle, or the plate is not tied to a valid registration.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Andrew Engell

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam Bernbaum

    Democratic • House

  • Andrew Barkis

    Republican • House

  • Hunter Abell

    Republican • House

  • Janice Zahn

    Democratic • House

  • Jenny Graham

    Republican • House

  • Jeremie Dufault

    Republican • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Sam Low

    Republican • House

  • Stephanie Barnard

    Republican • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Zach Hall

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 238 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/13/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 94 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 1/1/2027.

    3/24/2026House

  2. Chapter 172, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/12/2026House

  6. Passed final passage; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/12/2026House

  7. Speaker signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  8. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/4/2026House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2026House

  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/4/2026House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/3/2026House

  13. TRAN - Majority; do pass.

    3/2/2026House

  14. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/2/2026House

  15. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    2/17/2026House

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    2/13/2026House

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/13/2026House

  18. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/13/2026House

  19. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/12/2026House

  20. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/9/2026House

  21. TR - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/9/2026House

  22. TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/9/2026House

  23. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    1/12/2026House

  24. Prefiled for introduction.

    12/8/2025House

Bill Text

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