State Sport license plate passes in the 60th year of pickleball’s invention on Bainbridge Island
The special license plates bill, SB 5444 / HB 1368, which includes the Pickleball State Sport license plate, passed in the state legislature. After a three-year effort, it’s done. The bill passed in the 60th year of pickleball’s invention on Bainbridge Island in 1965.
SMPA board members Kate Van Gent and John Rankin testified this year in person in Olympia in support of the plate. SMPA joined a coalition of ten other license plate sponsors working together to pass their special license plate bills. The group met every Thursday morning during the legislative session to strategize.
Once the governor signs, the bill becomes law. The DOL will phase in implementation of the pickleball state sport license plate on November 1, 2025. The fee is $40 above the price of a standard plate and $30 for renewals. Proceeds will be used for the construction and maintenance of dedicated, public pickleball courts throughout Washington.
Thirteen special license plates have been authorized. Seven will be implemented this year. The other six have one year to collect 3,500 signatures. Plates immediately phased in are Mount St. Helens, LeMay-America’s Car Museum, Smokey Bear, State Sport, Keep Washington Evergreen, Historical Throwback, and Honey Bees and Pollinator.
Plates which have not collected the required 3,500 minimum signatures include Donate Life, Firefighter Memorial, Nautical Northwest, Naval Academy, Seattle Reign FC, and Working Forests. Three amendments were created for the Seahawks, Mariners, and Sounders regarding their plate proceeds.
The battle to pass special license plates in Washington
Historically, special license plates work their way through the legislature as a separate bill sponsored by a non-profit organization and a state legislator. The pickleball state sport special license plate bill was originally submitted as Senate Bill 5333 in 2023, with the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association as the non-profit sponsor and Senator John Lovick as the legislative sponsor.
Recently, legislators began to openly rebel against hearing special license plate bills. While waiting to testify, it was not uncommon to hear a legislator say, “What do we have to do to never hear another license plate bill.” Other legislators, including Senator Ramos, Senator Lovick, and Representatives Orcutt and Donaghy, supported special license plates. However, lacking fundamental legislative support, many organizations failed to pass their special license plate bills, resulting in a backlog.
In 2024, legislators in the House and Senate, including Senator Bill Ramos and Representative Brandy Donaghy, created what they called an omnibus bill. This legislation combined several special license plates into one bill with a companion bill in the other legislative chamber.
In 2025, the pickleball state sport license plate was added. The bill eventually included 13 special license plates. Reforms were written into the bill, including a moratorium imposed on all special license plates until 2029. A special license plate workgroup was mandated to study fiscal performance and cut non-performing plates. This solution satisfied critics and supporters. With overwhelming support, the special license plates bill passed.
Of note is the Mt. Saint Helens special license plate. Representative Orcutt and the Mount St. Helens Institute first submitted the Mt Saint Helens special license plate in 2019. The plate finally passed on its seventh attempt.
In committee and off the record, many legislators have repeatedly said Senator Bill Ramos worked very hard on the special license plates bill. Sadly, he passed away on April 19 and was unable to see the bill to its fruition.
Legislators working late hours with little time remaining to pass this bill did so on behalf of their esteemed college and dear friend Senator Ramos. They call SB 5444 Bill’s bill. It is a symbol of his beliefs as a legislator and a testament to his legislative legacy.
A special thank you to those who pushed for a state sport license plate
Thank you to those from out of state whose encouragement in our legislative adventure gave us not only the strength to see it through but inspired you to begin a quest for your own pickleball license plate. We’re talking about you, Tennessee. Congratulations on getting a pickleball license plate passed by your state legislature this year.
A special thank you is warranted to SMPA directors Amy Greger and John Rankin for their work behind the scenes and for collecting signatures throughout the state. We would not have this special license plate without your efforts. Your unwavering belief that our state sport deserves a state license plate made all the difference.
We give a huge thank you to our supporters and volunteers who drove many hours and invested much time collecting signatures for this legislative endeavor.
You did good for the state of Washington and for the state sport of pickleball in the 60th year of its invention on Bainbridge Island.
We sincerely appreciate you,
The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association Board
SMPA volunteer David Yamada (left) and SMPA director John Rankin collect license plate signatures 
Sasquatch poses next to the license plate sign at an event 
A tape measure gauges the depth of the collected signatures stack 
SMPA directors Kate Van Gent (left) and Amy Greger toast completion of the signature requirement 
SMPA director John Rankin testifies in support of the special license plates bill 
SMPA director Kate Van Gent testifies in support of the special license plates bill 
The House Transportation Committee hears the special license plates bill 
The Senate Transportation Committee hears the special license plates bill 
The coalition of special license plates groups supporting HB 1368 and its companion bill SB 5444