HB 1370
In CommitteeHouse
Mt. St. Helens license plate
Creating Mount St. Helens special license plates.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill creates a new special license plate featuring Mount St. Helens, allowing Washington residents to purchase it for their vehicles in support of education, stewardship, and science programs at the volcano. Fees from the plate fund the Mount St. Helens Institute after covering administrative costs.
- Creates a new 'Mount St. Helens' special license plate featuring an image of the volcano, available as an alternative to standard or personalized plates (excluding commercial or specialty registrations under chapter 46.87 RCW).
- Sets a $40 initial fee and $30 renewal fee for the plate, with administrative costs capped at $12 for initial and $2 for renewal.
- Requires proceeds (after administrative costs) to be deposited into the Motor Vehicle Fund, then transferred to the state treasurer for dedicated use by the Mount St. Helens Institute.
- Adds a definition of 'Mount St. Helens license plate' to RCW 46.04 and updates existing special license plate laws to include this new plate in the approved list.
- Aligns the Mount St. Helens plate with existing special license plate procedures, including approval by the Department of Licensing and distribution of funds under RCW 46.68.420.
Who is affected
- General public / vehicle owners — Residents who want to purchase a special license plate featuring Mount St. Helens; they must pay a $40 initial fee and $30 annual renewal fee, and the plate must be used on eligible vehicles (not commercial or specialty registrations).
- Mount St. Helens Institute — The Mount St. Helens Institute will receive proceeds from the plate fees (after administrative costs) to support education, stewardship, and science programs at Mount St. Helens.
- Washington State Department of Licensing — The Washington State Department of Licensing will administer the program, collect fees, deduct up to $12 for initial and $2 for renewal administrative costs, and distribute remaining funds to the state treasurer for designated uses.
- Washington State Treasurer — The Washington State Treasurer will hold and credit funds to the Motor Vehicle Fund until reimbursement is made, then allocate remaining funds to specific programs supporting Mount St. Helens and other causes.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (4)
The bill creates a dedicated, self-sustaining funding stream for science education and volcano stewardship—supporting K–12 field trips, citizen science programs, and volunteer stewardship at the volcano—directly benefiting students, teachers, and community volunteers across Washington, especially in underserved rural and tribal communities near the volcano.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 3, subsection (2): Mount St. Helens account funds education, stewardship, and science programs via the Mount St. Helens InstituteBy funding stewardship and science programs, the plate supports hazard education, wildfire risk communication, and ecosystem monitoring—enhancing community resilience and public safety for residents living in the Mount St. Helens eruption zone and surrounding areas.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3, subsection (2): funds transferred to Mount St. Helens Institute after administrative costsThe plate promotes environmental awareness and stewardship of a unique and ecologically sensitive volcanic landscape—encouraging responsible recreation, supporting native species recovery, and raising public understanding of volcanic hazards and land management; the fee structure ensures user-payer funding without relying on general tax revenue.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1, subsection (1)(d): department-approved artwork; Sec. 2, Plate #15 fee structureThe program is fiscally neutral to the state—no appropriation is required, and administrative costs are capped—meaning the state avoids new spending while generating dedicated revenue for public benefit; this self-contained structure avoids adding to the state’s budgetary burden.
FinancialLean peopleRef: Sec. 3, subsection (1)(c): proceeds remitted to state treasurer, credited to Motor Vehicle Fund
Potential Concerns (4)
The $40 initial and $30 annual renewal fee for the Mount St. Helens plate is a regressive user fee that disproportionately burdens low- and middle-income vehicle owners—especially those in rural or volcanic-region communities—who may value the plate but cannot afford the extra cost; this effectively creates a voluntary tax that excludes lower-income residents from participating in the program, even if they support its goals.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 2, Plate #15 (Mount St. Helens), Initial Fee $40.00, Renewal Fee $30.00While administrative costs are capped, the Department of Licensing must still allocate staff time and system resources to implement and manage the plate, diverting有限 resources from other high-priority plate programs or digital services—especially burdensome for small rural counties with limited DOL staff capacity.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 3, subsection (1)(b): administrative cost cap of $12 initial / $2 renewalThe program funds science and stewardship programs, but the Mount St. Helens Institute primarily serves visitors, researchers, and educators in Southwest Washington—meaning benefits are geographically concentrated and may not meaningfully reach most Washingtonians outside the volcano’s immediate region; the scale of impact is modest relative to statewide education needs.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 3, subsection (2): funds directed to Mount St. Helens Institute for education, stewardship, and scienceExcluding commercial vehicles prevents small businesses (e.g., tour operators, local guides, small transport firms) from using the plate, potentially limiting branding or promotional opportunities for businesses that serve the Mount St. Helens area—though the financial impact is likely minimal given the plate’s voluntary nature.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1, subsection (1)(c): plate not available for commercial or specialty registrations under chapter 46.87 RCW
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and middle-income vehicle owners—especially in rural areas—may value the plate for its symbolic and educational appeal but may be priced out by the $40/$30 fee structure; they benefit indirectly from improved science education and public safety, but participation is voluntary and financially exclusionary.
The Mount St. Helens Institute gains a new, stable funding source for K–12 programs, volunteer stewardship coordination, and scientific research—potentially expanding outreach to tribal communities, schools, and citizen scientists in Southwest Washington.
Rural schools and teachers in Cowlitz, Skamania, and Clark counties may benefit from new field trip grants, curriculum support, and hands-on volcano science programs—though access depends on district funding and transportation capacity.
Local emergency management and fire districts near the volcano may benefit indirectly from enhanced public education on eruption preparedness and ecosystem monitoring—though the bill does not directly fund emergency services.
The Washington State Department of Licensing and Treasurer face minimal added administrative burden due to capped fees and existing special plate infrastructure, but may need to allocate staff time for implementation—especially in the first year.