2025 Legislative Priorities

​WAVS is committed to advocating for policies that strengthen and protect Washington’s vehicle licensing subagents, ensuring a fair and efficient system for both businesses and the public. ​The 2025 Legislative Session brought key advancements for licensing subagents across Washington. WAVS worked diligently to advocate for fair policy, address operational challenges, and support legislation that enhances the services we provide to the public. Below is a summary of the priority legislation we tracked, supported, or engaged with this session.

 

SB 5801 – Title and Registration Service Fee Increase

Status: Passed 
Summary: Increases the title and registration service fees by $3, effective January 1, 2026.

 

SB 5127 – Collector Vehicle Plate Reform

Status: Passed
Summary: Strengthens requirements for collector vehicle and horseless carriage plates to reduce misuse and enhance public safety. Key provisions include:
          - Requiring proof of vehicle liability insurance
          - Requiring ownership of a daily-use vehicle
          - Establishing a process to cancel plates for misuse

 

SB 5444 – Special License Plates

Status: Passed
Summary: Authorizes the creation of thirteen new special license plates. In addition to all applicable vehicle registration fees and taxes:
          - $40 is charged for the initial issuance
          - $30 is charged for annual renewals
Newly Authorized Special License Plates the DOL will phase in the following plates starting November 1, 2025:
          - Mount St. Helens – Proceeds to the Mount St. Helens Institute for education, stewardship, and science.
          - LeMay–America’s Car Museum – Proceeds for education and job training related to automobiles.
          - Smokey Bear – Proceeds to DNR for wildfire prevention programs.
          - State Sport (Pickleball) – Proceeds to the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association for building and maintaining dedicated courts.
          - Keep Washington Evergreen – Proceeds to the Electric Vehicle Account for supporting EV charging infrastructure.
          - Historical Throwback – Proceeds used for improving driver’s education programs.
          - Honey Bees & Pollinator – Proceeds to the Washington State Beekeepers Association for research and education on pollinators in Washington.

 

The remaining six special license plates authorized will only be implemented if they submit 3,500 signatures in support of the special license. The following are the special license plates subject to these provisions:

          - Donate Life with proceeds going to Life Center Northwest to build awareness for organ donation and organ donation registration.
          - Firefighter Memorial with proceeds going to the Washington State Council of Firefighters to be used to benefit firefighters and their families in need.
          - Nautical Northwest with proceeds going to support of historic resources of Whidbey Island's maritime communities.
          - Naval Academy with proceeds going to the Veterans Stewardship Account to be used to benefit veterans or their families.
          - Seattle Reign FC with proceeds going to the RAVE foundation to champion and empower girls, women, and gender diverse people, protect the Salish Sea, and advance equity for all, in play and life.
          - Working Forests with proceeds going to the Washington Tree Farm Program to support small forest landowners.

 

SSB 5432 – License Plate Production Reforms

Status: Did not pass as a bill – Language included in final transportation budget
Summary: Proposed long-term solutions to license plate shortages and mitigation planning. Major provisions included:
          - DOL rulemaking for temporary plate expiration extensions
          - Improved communication with law enforcement
          - Permission to contract third-party vendors for plate production during shortages