(1) A registered owner who is an officer of the Taipei economic and cultural office may apply to the department for special license plates for a motor vehicle owned or leased by the officer. The special license plates must:

(a) Be issued for passenger vehicles having a manufacturer's rated carrying capacity of one ton or less;

(b) Show the words "Foreign Organization";

(c) Be in a distinguishing color and a separate numerical series;

(d) Be returned to the department when no longer in use or when the owner or lessee is relieved of his or her duties as a representative of the recognized foreign organization; and

(e) Be removed from the vehicle when the officer of the Taipei economic and cultural office transfers or assigns the interest or certificate of title in the motor vehicle for which the special license plates were issued.

(2) Motor vehicles described in subsection (1) of this section are exempt from the vehicle license fees under RCW 46.17.350.

(3) Foreign organization license plates may be transferred from one motor vehicle to another motor vehicle owned by the officer as described in subsection (1) of this section upon application to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director.

(4) The Taipei economic and cultural office shall bear the entire cost of production of the special license plates described in subsection (1) of this section.

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.