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WashingtonSB 54442025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Creating several new special license plates.

Sponsored By: Adrian Cortes (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.

New specialty plates start in 2025

The law creates many new special license plates. Examples include Keep Washington Evergreen, LeMay—America’s Car Museum, Mount St. Helens, Smokey Bear, Working Forests, State sport, Seattle Reign FC, and others. Phased issuance begins November 1, 2025 for plates with qualifying signatures filed before March 1, 2025, and for the Keep Washington Evergreen and Historical Throwback plates. Other new plates start after 3,500 signatures are filed and when the licensing department has capacity. You must pay the special plate fee set in law.

More support for veterans programs

Starting November 1, 2025, money from Armed Forces, United States Naval Academy, and Purple Heart plates goes into a veterans stewardship account. The department must use these funds for activities that help veterans or their families, like homeless services, memorials, and cemetery care. These dollars cannot replace existing funding.

Stronger oversight of specialty plates

The licensing department must review and approve or reject special plate applications and annual financial reports. It must notify sponsors and legislators within seven days of each decision. The department reviews yearly sales for plate series created after January 1, 2003 and may recommend ending low sellers. A work group meets and reports on improvements: updates by December 1, 2025 and December 1, 2026; a preliminary report on November 15, 2027; and a final report by January 1, 2028. The group ends January 15, 2028. The joint transportation committee must hold a work session by December 20, 2028 and at least every two years after.

Where team plate money goes

Starting November 1, 2025, the law sets who gets the net proceeds from team plates. Examples: Mariners plates fund the Mariners Care Foundation. Seattle NHL hockey plates split 50% to the NHL Seattle Foundation, 25% to the Washington state leadership board, and 25% for youth hockey participation. Seattle Storm plates send $25,000 each year to the legislative youth advisory council; the rest goes to the Washington state leadership board.

Personalized plate fee now $52

Beginning November 1, 2025, the fee for a personalized plate is $52 to get and $52 to renew. The state distributes these fees under existing law. This raises the renewal price to $52.

Pause on new plates until 2029

The Department of Licensing may not accept applications for new special license plates until January 1, 2029. Plates created by this law are allowed. The department must clearly post this moratorium on its website.

Plate fees cover setup and admin

The licensing department may keep up to $12 from the first issue of a special plate and up to $2 from each renewal to cover administration. Starting November 1, 2025, the state treasurer first puts special plate proceeds into the motor vehicle fund until the department’s setup costs are repaid. After that, money goes to each plate’s named account.

Sports mentoring program is repealed

Beginning November 1, 2025, the statute that created the sports mentoring program is repealed. This ends the program’s legal authority.

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

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 96 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/18/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 45 • No: 3 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025*.

    5/20/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 385, 2025 Laws.

    5/20/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/20/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/27/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/26/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/25/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 47; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/25/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/25/2025House

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

    4/24/2025Senate

  10. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/24/2025Senate

  11. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/24/2025Senate

  12. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/24/2025Senate

  13. Committee amendment not adopted.

    4/24/2025Senate

  14. TR - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/23/2025Senate

  15. TR - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/23/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/23/2025Senate

  17. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    4/21/2025Senate

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/18/2025Senate

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/18/2025Senate

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    4/18/2025Senate

  21. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/17/2025Senate

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

    4/8/2025Senate

  23. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/8/2025Senate

  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/8/2025Senate

  25. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    1/23/2025Senate

Bill Text

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