WashingtonSB 54442025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Creating several new special license plates.

Sponsored By: Adrian Cortes (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

14 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.

Plate money helps small forest landowners

Beginning November 1, 2025, remaining Working Forests plate proceeds go to the Washington Tree Farm Program. The state first recovers its plate setup costs. The program helps small forest landowners sustainably manage more than 400,000 acres of private forestland. The law does not set a direct payment amount for individual landowners.

Naval Academy plates support veterans’ services

Beginning November 1, 2025, Naval Academy plate receipts go into Washington’s veterans stewardship account. The account supports Department of Veterans Affairs activities benefiting veterans and their families. Uses include help for homeless veterans, veterans’ memorials, and state veterans’ cemeteries. This money cannot replace existing department funds.

Plate money supports organ donation awareness

Beginning November 1, 2025, remaining Donate Life plate proceeds go to Life Center Northwest. The money supports organ donation awareness and encourages an inclusive, positive view of donor registration. The state first recovers its plate setup costs. The law does not specify the funding amount.

Plate money supports Whidbey maritime history

Beginning November 1, 2025, remaining Nautical Northwest plate proceeds support historic resources in Whidbey Island’s maritime communities. The state first recovers its plate setup costs. The law does not specify the funding amount.

Plate proceeds fund soccer and pickleball

Beginning November 1, 2025, remaining Seattle Reign FC plate proceeds go to the RAVE Foundation for youth soccer in underserved communities. Remaining State Sport plate proceeds enter a trust account managed by the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association. That trust money can fund only construction and maintenance of dedicated pickleball courts. The state first recovers each plate’s setup costs.

Plate proceeds support bee research

Beginning November 1, 2025, remaining Honey Bees and Pollinators plate proceeds go to the Washington State Beekeepers Association. The state first recovers its plate setup costs. The association uses the money for honey bee and pollinator research, education, and educational materials in Washington.

Smokey Bear plates fund wildfire prevention

Beginning November 1, 2025, Smokey Bear plate proceeds go to the Washington Department of Natural Resources. The department can use this money only for wildfire prevention programs. The law does not specify the total proceeds.

Plate proceeds fund learning and training

Beginning November 1, 2025, remaining LeMay-America’s Car Museum plate proceeds support the museum’s education and community programs. Activities include job training, science and arts learning, and skilled-trade workforce development. Remaining Mount St. Helens plate proceeds support the Mount St. Helens Institute’s education, stewardship, and science activities. The state recovers each plate’s setup costs before these programs receive proceeds. The law does not specify funding totals.

Personalized plate renewals cost $10 more

Beginning November 1, 2025, personalized plate renewals cost $52 instead of $42. Holders pay $10 more each time they renew. The initial fee stays $52.

New plate designs paused until 2029

Beginning July 27, 2025, the Department of Licensing cannot issue new special plate series until January 1, 2029. Plates created by this law are exempt. The department must prominently post the pause on its website.

Evergreen plates help fund charging stations

Keep Washington Evergreen plates have green letters on white, styled like 1970s plates. Phased issuance begins November 1, 2025, with fees of $40 initially and $30 per renewal. These fees are added to other required fees and taxes, and proceeds support electric charging stations across Washington. Eligible vehicles must be required to display one or two plates. Vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 of Washington law are excluded.

More specialty plate choices for drivers

Beginning November 1, 2025, the law authorizes Donate Life, Firefighter Memorial, LeMay-America’s Car Museum, Mount St. Helens, Nautical Northwest, and Naval Academy plates. It also authorizes Seattle Reign FC, Smokey Bear, State Sport pickleball, Washington Honey Bees and Pollinators, and Working Forests plates. Each optional plate costs $40 initially and $30 per renewal. Designs with 3,500 qualifying signatures submitted before March 1, 2025, begin phased issuance November 1, 2025. Later qualifying designs roll out by signature-submission date, as the Department of Licensing has capacity.

Throwback plates help fund driver education

Historical Throwback plates have white letters on a black background, styled like early-20th-century plates. Phased issuance begins November 1, 2025. Drivers choosing the plate pay $40 initially and $30 per renewal. After state setup costs are recovered, remaining proceeds help expand and improve driver education programs.

Team plate funding shifts; mentoring authorization ends

Beginning November 1, 2025, Mariners plate proceeds go to Mariners Care Foundation or its successor, replacing sports mentoring and World Fellows shares. Seahawks proceeds split 75% to the team’s charitable foundation and 25% to the Washington State Leadership Board. The Board’s share funds only Washington World Fellows, with at least 90% provided as fellowships. Sounders proceeds split 75% to the RAVE Foundation and 25% to the Board; all distributions follow state setup-cost recovery. The law also repeals the state sports mentoring program’s legal authorization.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Adrian Cortes
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Claire Wilson
Democratic • Senate
John Lovick
Democratic • Senate
Marcus Riccelli
Democratic • Senate
Mike Chapman
Democratic • Senate
T'wina Nobles
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 188 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/25/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 47 • No: 1

House vote • 4/24/2025