2011 Washington Code
Title 46 Motor vehicles
46.08 General provisions.
46.08.066 Publicly owned vehicles -- Confidential license plates -- Issuance, rules governing.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the department of licensing is authorized to issue confidential motor vehicle license plates to units of local government and to agencies of the federal government for law enforcement purposes only.

     (2) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4) of this section the use of confidential plates on vehicles owned or operated by the state of Washington by any officer or employee thereof, shall be limited to confidential, investigative, or undercover work of state law enforcement agencies, confidential public health work, and confidential public assistance fraud or support investigations.

     (3) Any state official elected on a statewide basis shall be provided on request with one set of confidential plates for use on official business. When necessary for the personal security of any other public officer, or public employee, the chief of the Washington state patrol may recommend that the director issue confidential plates for use on an unmarked publicly owned or controlled vehicle of the appropriate governmental unit for the conduct of official business for the period of time that the personal security of such state official, public officer, or other public employee may require. The office of the state treasurer may use an unmarked state owned or controlled vehicle with confidential plates where required for the safe transportation of either state funds or negotiable securities to or from the office of the state treasurer.

     (4) The director of licensing may issue rules and regulations governing applications for, and the use of, such plates by law enforcement and other public agencies.

[1986 c 158 § 20; 1982 c 163 § 14; 1979 c 158 § 128; 1975 1st ex.s. c 169 § 2.]

Notes:

     Severability -- Effective date -- 1982 c 163: See notes following RCW 2.10.052.

     RCW 46.08.066Publicly owned vehicles — Confidential license plates — Issuance, rules governing. (Effective July 1, 2011.)

(1) The department may issue confidential license plates to:

     (a) Units of local government and agencies of the federal government for law enforcement purposes only;

     (b) Any state official elected on a statewide basis for use on official business. Only one set of confidential license plates may be issued to these elected officials;

     (c) Any other public officer or public employee for the personal security of the officer or employee when recommended by the chief of the Washington state patrol. These confidential license plates may only be used on an unmarked publicly owned or controlled vehicle of the employing government agency for the conduct of official business for the period of time that the personal security of the state official, public officer, or other public employee may require; and

     (d) The office of the state treasurer. These confidential license plates may only be used on an unmarked state owned or controlled vehicle when required for the safe transportation of either state funds or negotiable securities to or from the office of the state treasurer.

     (2) The use of confidential license plates on other vehicles owned or operated by the state of Washington by any officer or employee of the state is limited to confidential, investigative, or undercover work of state law enforcement agencies, confidential public health work, and confidential public assistance fraud or support investigations.

     (3) The director may adopt rules governing applications for, and the use of, confidential license plates.

[2010 c 161 § 211; 1986 c 158 § 20; 1982 c 163 § 14; 1979 c 158 § 128; 1975 1st ex.s. c 169 § 2.]

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.

     Severability -- Effective date -- 1982 c 163: See notes following RCW 2.10.052.