This bill establishes a new special "Smokey Bear" license plate for Washington vehicles by adding a new definition to chapter 46.04 RCW, and by reenacting and amending RCW 46.17.220, 46.18.200, and 46.68.425. It directs the Department of Licensing to approve and issue a Smokey Bear plate that uses the name, image, and likeness of Smokey Bear to promote wildfire prevention and the Department of Natural Resources' wildland wildfire program, and it specifies that special plates are issued under department terms, may replace standard or personalized plates (with some exclusions such as vehicles under chapter 46.87 RCW), and must display department‑approved artwork or symbols. The act also retains and clarifies various special plate provisions that affect professional and volunteer firefighter plates, including documentation requirements, surrender rules if a volunteer leaves service before 10 years or is convicted of specified offenses, and signature sheet requirements before issuing certain other specialty plates. The bill sets fees and revenue handling for the Smokey Bear plate and other special plates: an initial Smokey Bear plate fee of $40 and a renewal fee of $30 are listed in the amended fee table, the Department of Licensing may deduct up to $12 from initial issue fees and up to $2 from renewal fees for administrative and collection expenses, and remaining proceeds are remitted to the state treasurer who credits them first to the motor vehicle fund until implementation costs are reimbursed and then to specified accounts. Proceeds from Smokey Bear plates are credited under RCW 76.04.511 for Department of Natural Resources wildfire prevention programs. The act is effective October 1, 2025. The new section's full wording defining "Smokey Bear license plates" and any other potential provisions or amendments not included in the provided text are truncated or missing, so those details cannot be confirmed from the supplied extract.

If enacted, Washington would offer a Smokey Bear special license plate beginning October 1, 2025 that drivers can buy for $40 initially and $30 on renewal. The licensing agency will sell and approve the plate artwork, may keep up to $12 of the initial fee and $2 of each renewal for administration, and after the agency recoups implementation costs the remaining money will flow to the Department of Natural Resources for wildfire prevention work; the DNR may use Smokey Bear’s name and image to promote its wildland wildfire program. The main real-world effects: the DNR should see a new dedicated revenue stream for wildfire prevention, the Department of Licensing takes on plate issuance and short-term implementation costs, and vehicle owners get an option to support wildfire programs at the listed extra cost. The bill text available here omits the complete new definition of “Smokey Bear license plates” and some details from the other amended sections, so a few implementation details and any additional changes in the missing portion are unclear.