State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Washington > Title-46 > 46-18 > 46-18-280Purple heart license plates. (Effective July 1, 2011.)
(1) A registered owner who has been awarded a Purple Heart medal by any branch of the United States armed forces, including the merchant marines and the women's air forces service pilots may apply to the department for special license plates for use on only one motor vehicle owned by the qualified applicant. The applicant must:
(a) Be a resident of this state;
(b) Have been wounded during one of this nation's wars or conflicts identified in RCW 41.04.005;
(c) Have received an honorable discharge from the United States armed forces;
(d) Provide a copy of the armed forces document showing the recipient was awarded the Purple Heart medal;
(e) Be recorded as the registered owner of the vehicle on which the Purple Heart survivor license plates will be displayed; and
(f) Pay all fees and taxes required by law for registering the motor vehicle.
(2) Purple Heart license plates must be issued without the payment of any special license plate fee.
(3) Purple Heart license plates may be issued to the surviving spouse or domestic partner of a Purple Heart recipient who met the requirements in subsection (1) of this section. The surviving spouse or domestic partner must be a resident of this state. If the surviving spouse remarries or the surviving domestic partner marries or enters into a new domestic partnership, he or she must return the special plates to the department within fifteen days and apply for regular license plates or another type of special license plate.
(4) Purple Heart license plates may be transferred from one motor vehicle to another motor vehicle owned by the Purple Heart recipient or the surviving spouse or domestic partner as described in subsection (3) of this section upon application to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director.
[2010 c 161 § 628.]
Notes: Effective date -- Intent -- Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session -- 2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.
