This bill creates a new legal classification for "military surplus vehicle," adds that class to existing collectible/collector vehicle definitions, and changes title, registration, equipment, and penalty rules to allow such vehicles to operate on Washington public highways in limited circumstances. It authorizes operation only for activities like parades, veterans' events, exhibitions, club activities, tours, and occasional pleasure driving. The bill amends several RCW sections and adds new sections to chapter 46.04 and chapter 46.12, taking effect January 1, 2026. Procedurally, the bill requires a certification and a department-form safety inspection by a licensed Washington repair shop when applying for a certificate of title for a military surplus vehicle; the certification must state limited uses and that the vehicle will be insured at least to the liability limits in RCW 46.29.090. Registered owners of vehicles at least 30 years old or military surplus vehicles may apply for collector vehicle license plates, which are valid for the life of the vehicle, do not require renewal, must be rear-mounted, and may be department-assigned or an original-year state plate. Military surplus vehicles displaying collector plates are exempt from the equipment requirements of chapter 46.37 RCW, and collector vehicles may tow a trailer when used for qualifying events. The bill creates or clarifies penalties and enforcement provisions: knowingly making a false certification about the equipment inspection is treated as false swearing, a gross misdemeanor under RCW 9A.72.040; providing a false or facsimile collector plate is a traffic infraction with a fine equivalent to the penalty under RCW 46.16A.200(7)(b) plus payment for the collector plate cost under RCW 46.17.220(5) unless already paid. Affected entities include the unspecified "department" that will create the inspection form and handle title/plate applications, county auditors and their agents, licensed repair shops, the Washington State Patrol for related rule citations, owners and operators of military surplus vehicles, and courts in enforcement matters. Some important implementation details are not provided in the extracted text: the specific state department named to administer the program is not identified; the specific dollar amounts for required insurance limits and the special license plate fee are referenced by other RCWs but not stated here; the content and format of the department safety inspection form are not included; and the federal regulation cited (49 C.F.R. Sec. 571.7) is referenced but not reproduced.

If enacted, owners of eligible former military vehicles will be able to register and drive them on Washington roads for limited uses (parades, club events, exhibitions, tours and occasional pleasure driving) starting January 1, 2026, by getting a one-time safety inspection from a licensed Washington repair shop and signing a title application that certifies limited use and required insurance. Those vehicles can receive collector license plates that last for the life of the vehicle, exempt the vehicle from certain equipment rules, and must be displayed on the rear; county auditors or their agents and an unnamed state department will process the titles and plates, and the Washington State Patrol’s equipment rules are referenced for enforcement. Practically this creates new costs and duties for owners (inspection fees, registration and a special plate fee, and maintaining required liability insurance and limited use), new work for licensed repair shops (performing required inspections) and administrative work for county offices and the department; providing a false inspection certification carries criminal exposure (gross misdemeanor) and using a fake plate triggers a traffic fine and repayment of the plate cost. Important specifics are missing here: the text does not name which state department will create the inspection form, does not state the dollar amounts for insurance limits or the special plate fee, and does not include the exact inspection form content, so the precise financial impact and administrative steps remain unclear.