AN ACT Relating to creating the Seattle Reign FC special license plate;
Summary
SB 5692 creates a new special license plate for the Seattle Reign FC and adds it to Washington’s existing special license plate program. The bill authorizes the Department of Licensing to issue Seattle Reign FC plates, which would display the team logo, and requires applicants to pay the standard vehicle registration fees plus the special plate fees established in law. The measure also adds a new section defining Seattle Reign FC license plates for purposes of the chapter.
The bill fits into a broader special-plate framework that already includes many plates for charities, public causes, educational institutions, sports teams, and state-recognition programs. It also preserves the existing administrative structure for special plates, including department approval of plate designs, fee collection, and distribution of net proceeds to designated accounts or organizations. In this case, the bill is aimed at creating a new branded plate tied to the Seattle Reign FC soccer team.
Impact
The bill amends Washington’s special license plate statutes to add Seattle Reign FC to the list of approved special plate series and creates a corresponding new section in chapter 46.16A RCW. It does not change general vehicle registration law, but it expands the Department of Licensing’s authority to issue another optional specialty plate and collect associated fees. The bill also places the new plate within the existing special-plate revenue and administrative system, meaning proceeds would be handled under the same rules that govern other special plates and their designated accounts or beneficiaries.
Sentiment
The available bill text and context suggest a generally positive, low-conflict measure. The bill is framed as a straightforward addition to Washington’s menu of special license plates, and there is no recorded committee transcript or vote history indicating opposition or debate. Because it is a team-branded specialty plate, the likely support comes from Seattle Reign FC fans and supporters of women’s professional sports, while the measure appears to follow the familiar pattern of other sports and cause-based plates already authorized by the state.
Contention
No specific contention is documented in the provided materials. The main policy issue inherent in the bill is the use of a state-issued license plate to promote a private sports franchise, which may raise questions in general about whether specialty plates should be reserved for public purposes or charitable causes. However, the bill text does not show any explicit dispute over that point, and there is no recorded opposition, amendment fight, or committee controversy in the supplied history.