WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5444

SB 5444: Special license plates

Concerning special license plates and personalized license plates.

Summary

  • Authorizes potentially up to 13 new special license plates.
  • Establishes a moratorium on any additional special license plates, beyond the ones authorized in the legislation, until January 1, 2029.
  • Requires the Department of Licensing to establish a work group to conduct a comprehensive review of current provisions associated with special license plates.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 5444), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 385, Laws of 2025
  1. IntroducedJan 23, 2025
  2. Out of committeeApr 8, 2025
  3. Passed SenateApr 18, 2025
  4. Passed HouseApr 24, 2025
  5. GovernorMay 20, 2025
  6. LawMay 20, 2025
Prime sponsor
Adrian Cortes (D-18)
Introduced
January 23, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
May 20, 2025
Session law
Chapter 385, Laws of 2025
Companion bill
HB 1368
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5444, SSB 5444

AN ACT Relating to special license plates and personalized license plates;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Adrian Cortes (D-18)

5 co-sponsors (5 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Mike Chapman D-24John Lovick D-44T'wina Nobles D-28Marcus Riccelli D-3Claire Wilson D-30

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed April 18, 2025
Version voted on: SSB 5444
45 Yea 3 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29001
Republican16300
How each member voted

Yea (45)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 24, 2025
Version voted on: SSB 5444
96 Yea 2 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat59000
Republican37200
How each member voted

Yea (96)

Nay (2)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 25, 2025
Version voted on: SSB 5444
47 Yea 1 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican18100
How each member voted

Yea (47)

Nay (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025*. (SSB 5444)
  2. Chapter 385, 2025 Laws. (SSB 5444)
  3. Governor signed. (SSB 5444)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SSB 5444)
  5. Speaker signed. (SSB 5444)
  6. Passed final passage; yeas, 47; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5444)
  7. Senate concurred in House amendments. (SSB 5444)
  8. President signed. (SSB 5444)
  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SSB 5444)
  10. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5444)
  11. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5444)
  12. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (SSB 5444)
  13. Committee amendment not adopted. (SSB 5444)
  14. TR - Executive action taken by committee. (SSB 5444)
  15. TR - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SSB 5444)
  16. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SSB 5444)
  17. First reading, referred to Transportation. (SSB 5444)
  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SSB 5444)
  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5444)
  20. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5444)
  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5444)
  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  24. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5444)
  25. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5444)
  26. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5444)
  27. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  28. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  29. Minority; without recommendation.
  30. First reading, referred to Transportation.

SB 5444 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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