Pickleball license plate on legislative agenda in Olympia

Washington’s rise as the birthplace of pickleball could soon be celebrated on the road, thanks to a new legislative push for a pickleball-themed specialty license plate. House Bill 1368 and Senate Bill 5444 have been introduced this session, bundling seven specialty license plates into one bill. If passed, Washington will become the first state to offer a pickleball license plate, celebrating the sport’s popularity and its roots in the Evergreen State.

The Bills: A Single Push for Seven Plates

In an effort to streamline the process, legislators have combined seven specialty plates into a single bill. The plates include:

  • State Sport Pickleball
  • Working Forests
  • Mount St. Helens
  • Smokey Bear
  • LeMay America’s Car Museum
  • Northwest Nautical
  • Keep Washington Evergreen

This year, supporting any of these plates means supporting all of them. These bills were introduced at the start of the legislative session, which began January 13 and runs until April 27. If the bills don’t pass by the end of the session, they will be postponed until the next legislative cycle.

The Rise of Pickleball

Pickleball, a sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, has exploded in popularity. Its appeal spans generations, with players of all ages flocking to courts around the world. Easy to learn, accessible to all skill levels, and a great social activity, pickleball is not only fun but offers significant health benefits, improving cardiovascular health, agility, and coordination.

The sport’s rapid growth has made pickleball a defining part of Washington’s active lifestyle. Now, fans of the game are eager to display their passion with a unique license plate that symbolizes Washington’s status as the birthplace of the sport.

A License Plate to Celebrate Pickleball

If the bill passes, the Pickleball State Sport license plate will be more than just a commemorative item—it will also help fund the construction and maintenance of dedicated pickleball courts across the state. For just $40 above the cost of a standard plate, and $30 for renewals, Washington residents will have the chance to sport this new plate on their vehicles. If the bills pass, the Pickleball State Sport license plate could be available as early as October 2025.

A Long Journey to the Legislature

This is the third attempt to pass a pickleball license plate bill in Washington. The first version, SB 5333, passed the Senate in 2023 but failed to gain traction in the House. The bill was resubmitted in 2024 but did not receive a hearing. This year, the Pickleball State Sport license plate is part of a broader legislative effort to address a backlog of specialty plates, including the Mount St. Helens plate, which has seen multiple attempts since 2019.

Despite the setbacks, supporters are hopeful. The legislature has not passed a specialty license plate since 2022, so this session presents another critical opportunity.

How You Can Help

Want to show your support for the Pickleball State Sport license plate? It’s simple! Follow these steps to reach out to your legislators and voice your support:

  1. Visit this link.
  2. Enter your address and click “Verify District.”
  3. Check all three legislators to support the House and companion Senate bill.
  4. Enter your contact information.
  5. Enter your bill comment “Support.”
  6. Enter comment in “Comment” section and click “Send Comment.”

Encourage your representatives to fund more pickleball courts in your district and help make this plate a reality!

Time is Running Out

The legislative session ends April 27. Comments encouraging legislators to schedule a hearing and a vote are needed now.

Status updates on HB 1368 and SB 5444 are available on the Washington State Legislature website here.