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WashingtonHB 21142025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning defective license plates issued by the department of licensing.

Sponsored By: Andrew Engell (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Lower replacement fees for defective Washington plates

Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible owners get defective Washington plates replaced without plate, filing, service, special-plate, or personalized-plate fees. Requests must arrive by the last day of the 24th month after the plates were issued. After that, through the last day of the 60th month, fee relief requires meeting Department of Licensing defect criteria. A defective plate no longer works properly because its numbers are unreadable or its materials peel, bubble, or otherwise degrade. The department may require you to submit the defective plate. One defective plate can qualify for a replacement set, unless the vehicle legally needs only one plate. The department need not waive fees for tampering, collision damage, a replacement received within the past five years, or a plate-transfer application. Relief also is not required without valid registration for that vehicle. For a vehicle registered as stolen, relief is not required unless the requester is its owner or registered person.

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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