HB 1421
In CommitteeHouse
Smokey Bear license plates
Creating the state department of natural resources' Smokey Bear 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 Smokey Bear special license plate to raise awareness and funding for wildfire prevention in Washington. Revenue from the plate—after administrative costs—goes directly to the Department of Natural Resources to support its wildfire prevention programs.
- Creates a new Smokey Bear special license plate for Washington vehicles, featuring Smokey Bear’s name, image, and likeness, along with wildfire prevention messages.
- Adds the Smokey Bear plate to the state’s list of special license plates, with an initial fee of $40 and a $30 renewal fee.
- Directs net proceeds (after administrative costs) to the Department of Natural Resources for wildfire prevention programs, including education, prevention, and coordination with local fire districts.
- Requires the Department of Licensing to issue the plate under the same rules as other special plates (e.g., approval process, eligibility, design standards).
- Establishes a new definition in law: ‘Smokey Bear license plates’ means plates issued under RCW 46.18.200 that promote wildfire prevention and the Department of Natural Resources’ wildland wildfire program.
Who is affected
- Vehicle owners in Washington — Residents who want to display a special license plate featuring Smokey Bear and support wildfire prevention efforts must pay an initial fee of $40 and a $30 renewal fee.
- Department of Natural Resources — The Department of Natural Resources receives dedicated funding from Smokey Bear plate fees to support wildfire prevention programs, including education, prevention initiatives, and coordination with local fire districts.
- Fire prevention and emergency response organizations — Wildfire prevention organizations and local fire districts benefit from increased funding and public awareness generated by the plates.
- Current or prospective special license plate holders — Residents who already hold or plan to apply for other special license plates may be affected by the addition of the Smokey Bear option to the list of available plates.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (3)
The bill creates a dedicated, ring-fenced funding stream for wildfire prevention programs—including education, prevention, and coordination with local fire districts—which directly supports community-level fire resilience and reduces risk of catastrophic wildfires that threaten lives and property.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3 (Net proceeds to DNR for wildfire prevention); Sec. 4 (Definition of Smokey Bear plates for wildfire prevention awareness)The plate serves as a mobile public education tool, raising awareness of wildfire risks and prevention behaviors across communities—especially valuable in high-fire-risk areas like Eastern WA and the Puget Sound lowlands—potentially reducing human-caused ignitions.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (Smokey Bear plate added to list); Sec. 2 (Design includes Smokey Bear image and wildfire prevention messaging); Sec. 4 (Definition emphasizes public awareness)Local fire districts benefit from increased funding and interagency coordination, strengthening regional fire preparedness and response capacity—particularly important in rural and wildland-urban interface areas where local resources are limited.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3 (Funds to DNR for wildfire prevention); Sec. 2 (Includes coordination with local fire districts)
Potential Concerns (3)
Vehicle owners who opt into the Smokey Bear plate must pay a $40 initial fee and $30 annual renewal—on top of standard registration—making it a voluntary but out-of-pocket cost for participation. While modest, this fee may deter low-income households from participating, especially given that the plate offers no functional vehicle benefit beyond symbolic awareness.
FinancialRef: Sec. 1 (Smokey Bear plate fee: $40 initial, $30 renewal); Sec. 3 (DOL may deduct up to $12 initial / $2 renewal for admin costs); Fiscal Impact (reimbursement to DOL before DNR receives funds)The Department of Licensing incurs administrative costs to issue and manage the plate, and the state must be reimbursed before the Department of Natural Resources receives funding—potentially delaying or reducing net proceeds if uptake is low or administrative costs exceed expectations.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 3 (Admin costs capped at $12 initial / $2 renewal); Fiscal Impact (state reimbursed first from proceeds before DNR receives funds)Because the revenue stream is contingent on plate sales and subject to administrative overhead and reimbursement delays, the actual funding for wildfire prevention may be modest and uncertain—especially in years with low plate adoption or economic downturns affecting vehicle registrations.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 3 (Funds flow to DNR only after DOL is reimbursed); Fiscal Impact (funds are dedicated but capped by admin costs and reimbursement phase)
Who Is Most Affected
Vehicle owners who choose the Smokey Bear plate pay a voluntary fee and gain symbolic recognition; those who do not purchase the plate are unaffected financially but benefit from improved wildfire prevention outcomes. Low-income households may be less likely to participate due to the $70 upfront cost.
DNR gains a new, dedicated funding source for wildfire prevention, but only after DOL recovers implementation costs—so net benefit depends on plate sales volume and administrative efficiency.
Local fire districts and fire prevention organizations benefit from increased funding and enhanced interagency coordination, improving their ability to conduct prevention education and mitigation work in high-risk areas.
The state treasury and DOL benefit from covering administrative costs first, but the broader public benefits from improved wildfire resilience—making this a net positive for public safety despite modest revenue reallocation.
Residents in high-wildfire-risk counties (e.g., Yakima, Kittitas, Okanogan) stand to gain the most from improved prevention programs and community outreach, especially as climate-driven fire seasons lengthen.