Governor signs Cortes bill to authorize potentially up to 13 new special license plates

OLYMPIA — Legislation that authorizes potentially up to 13 new special license plates and puts into place a more meaningful process by which future special license plates can be authorized was signed into law Tuesday. 

Senate Bill 5444, sponsored by Sen. Adrian Cortes (D-Battle Ground), would raise funds for different causes around the state. One of the plates would direct proceeds to the Mount St. Helens Institute to promote education, stewardship, and science at Mount St. Helens.  

“This past Sunday marked the 45th anniversary of the Mount St. Helens eruption, and I’m proud this bill — benefiting causes like the Mount St. Helens Institute — was signed into law,” Cortes said. “For many southwest Washingtonians like me, the day Mount St. Helens erupted is a day we will never forget. I’m glad this bill will support educational programing at the volcano.” 

SB 5444 authorizes the Department of Licensing (DOL) to create six other license plates starting Nov. 1, 2025. This includes Smokey Bear and State Sport plates. The respective proceeds from these plates will fund important causes such a wildfire prevention and the construction and maintenance of pickle ball courts. This bill also authorizes six additional license plates, which will only be implemented if 3,500 signatures are submitted in support. 

In addition, SB 5444 directs the DOL to convene a special licensing work group by Oct. 1, 2025, to conduct a comprehensive review of the special license plate approval process. The special licensing work group must look at establishing more active oversight of special license plates by the Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) and removing the ability to create nonreviewed special license plates. The workgroup must then submit a report and give a presentation to the JTC with their recommendations by Nov. 15, 2027.  

The late Sen. Bill Ramos (D-Issaquah) worked closely with Cortes to put this bill together.  

“Sen. Ramos’ fingerprints are all over this bill,” Cortes said. “It was important to him that we lay the groundwork for the creation of a more meaningful process for authorizing special license plates in the future. I’m thankful we were able to pass this important legislation in his honor.”