(1) The department may issue confidential license plates to:

     (a) Units of local government and agencies of the federal government for law enforcement purposes only;

     (b) Any state official elected on a statewide basis for use on official business. Only one set of confidential license plates may be issued to these elected officials;

     (c) Any other public officer or public employee for the personal security of the officer or employee when recommended by the chief of the Washington state patrol. These confidential license plates may only be used on an unmarked publicly owned or controlled vehicle of the employing government agency for the conduct of official business for the period of time that the personal security of the state official, public officer, or other public employee may require; and

     (d) The office of the state treasurer. These confidential license plates may only be used on an unmarked state owned or controlled vehicle when required for the safe transportation of either state funds or negotiable securities to or from the office of the state treasurer.

     (2) The use of confidential license plates on other vehicles owned or operated by the state of Washington by any officer or employee of the state is limited to confidential, investigative, or undercover work of state law enforcement agencies, confidential public health work, and confidential public assistance fraud or support investigations.

     (3) The director may adopt rules governing applications for, and the use of, confidential license plates.

[2010 c 161 § 211; 1986 c 158 § 20; 1982 c 163 § 14; 1979 c 158 § 128; 1975 1st ex.s. c 169 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- Intent -- Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session -- 2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.

     Severability -- Effective date -- 1982 c 163: See notes following RCW 2.10.052.