HB 1911
In CommitteeHouse
Pollinator license plates
Creating special license plates for pollinator research and education.
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 honey bees and pollinators to raise awareness and fund research and education about pollinators in Washington. Revenue from the plate fees supports the Washington State Beekeepers Association’s work in this area.
- Creates a new special license plate called 'Washington honey bees and pollinators' that displays images of honey bees and other pollinators.
- Sets a $40 initial fee and $30 renewal fee for the plate, with administrative costs capped at $12 (initial) and $2 (renewal).
- Requires proceeds from the plate to be deposited into a dedicated account used exclusively for research and educational activities about honey bees and pollinators in Washington.
- Designates the Washington State Beekeepers Association as the recipient of funds to carry out research and education programs on pollinators.
- Adds the new plate to the list of approved special plates under state law and updates related statutes to include it in the fee schedule and distribution rules.
Who is affected
- Pollinator researchers and educators — Residents who want to support pollinator research and education can purchase these plates for $40 initial and $30 renewal fees, with part of the fee funding beekeeping and pollinator programs.
- Washington State Beekeepers Association — The Washington State Beekeepers Association receives funds from plate fees to conduct research and educational outreach about honey bees and other pollinators.
- Vehicle owners in Washington — Drivers who already hold or plan to get a special interest license plate may be affected by the new plate option and associated fees.
- Washington State Department of Licensing — The Washington State Department of Licensing administers the plate program, collects fees, and distributes funds according to the law.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (3)
Creates a dedicated, self-sustaining revenue stream for pollinator research and education — a public good with broad ecosystem and agricultural benefits — without drawing from general fund resources. Pollinators support Washington’s $1.2B fruit and nut industry and native plant communities, so even modest investment yields high public return.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2) (Washington state honey bees and pollinators account)Provides an affordable, voluntary way for residents to signal support for pollinator conservation — enhancing civic engagement and raising public awareness about ecological threats. The $40/$30 fee is among the lowest for specialty plates (e.g., same as 4-H, Armed Forces, Ski & Ride), making it relatively accessible.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (line 36), Sec. 3(1) (fee structure)Supports the Washington State Beekeepers Association — a nonprofit employing local apiarists, researchers, and educators — and may help stabilize jobs in rural and agricultural communities where beekeeping and pollination services are vital to farming.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2) (Washington state honey bees and pollinators account)
Potential Concerns (4)
The $40 initial / $30 renewal fee may discourage low- and middle-income drivers from purchasing the plate, limiting participation and public awareness — especially since the plate is optional and not required for registration. This reduces the pool of potential users and thus the total funding available for pollinator research and education.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (line 36), Sec. 3(2) (Washington state honey bees and pollinators account)While the bill dedicates proceeds to pollinator research and education, the actual funding level depends entirely on voluntary plate purchases — which are historically low for specialty plates. Without baseline data on demand, the environmental benefit is speculative and likely modest relative to the scale of pollinator decline in Washington.
EnvironmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(2) (Washington state honey bees and pollinators account)The Washington State Beekeepers Association receives exclusive control over disbursement of funds, potentially concentrating decision-making power in a single nonprofit — without independent oversight or requirement to fund small-scale or non-affiliated researchers, educators, or apiarists outside the association’s network.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(2) (Washington state honey bees and pollinators account)The bill funds research and education, but does not require measurable outcomes, equity in outreach, or inclusion of K–12 or community-based educational programs — limiting the likelihood that benefits reach underserved communities or translate into broad public education.
EducationRef: Sec. 3(2) (Washington state honey bees and pollinators account)
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and middle-income vehicle owners may be deterred by the $40/$30 fee despite its relative affordability; those who value environmental stewardship may see it as a meaningful, low-cost civic action.
The Washington State Beekeepers Association gains exclusive administrative control over the dedicated fund, potentially expanding its capacity to conduct research and outreach — but without transparency or accountability requirements, benefit distribution may be uneven.
Farmers, orchard owners, and agricultural workers benefit indirectly from improved pollinator health, which supports crop yields and farm profitability — especially in key sectors like apples, cherries, and blueberries.
State residents who rely on public parks, natural areas, and native ecosystems benefit from increased pollinator resilience, which supports biodiversity and ecosystem services like plant reproduction and soil health.
The Department of Licensing incurs minimal administrative burden (capped at $12 initial / $2 renewal), but must manage the plate program like other specialty plates — no net cost to state resources.