(1) The lighthouse environmental programs account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Upon the department's determination that the state had been reimbursed for the cost of implementing the "Washington Lighthouses" special license plate, all receipts, except as provided in RCW 46.16.313(14) (a) and (b), from "Washington Lighthouses" license plates must be deposited into the account. Only the director of the department of licensing or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.

     (2) Funds in the account must be disbursed subject to the following conditions and limitations:

     (a) Under the requirements set out in RCW 46.16.765, the department must contract with a qualified nonprofit organization to support selected Washington state lighthouses that are accessible to the public and staffed by volunteers; to provide environmental education programs; and to provide grants for other Washington lighthouses to assist in funding infrastructure preservation and restoration and to encourage and support interpretive programs by lighthouse docents.

     (b) For the purpose of this section, a "qualified nonprofit organization" means a not-for-profit corporation incorporated and of tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the federal internal revenue code. The organization must have been established for the express purposes of supporting selected Washington state lighthouses that are open to the public and staffed by volunteers; providing environmental education programs; and encouraging and supporting interpretive programs by lighthouse docents.

     (c) The qualified nonprofit organization must meet all requirements set out in RCW 46.16.765.

[2005 c 48 § 4.]