The boards of the Whidbey Island Maritime Heritage Foundation (Schooner Suva) and Historic Whidbey (Haller House) are thrilled to announce that our long-awaited "Nautical Northwest" specialty license plate was passed by the Legislature last month and Senate Bill 5444 was signed into law yesterday by Governor Bob Ferguson! Proceeds of plate sales will support our two nonprofits in preserving Whidbey Island's heritage resources.

We began this process in 2020, but perseverance has won the day. This bill authorized thirteen different new plates, but it also places a moratorium on any new plate applications until 2029. We feel very lucky to be the "last car on the ferry"!

When will the plates be available?

Great question! There are still a number of technological hurdles to pass before production can be scheduled. Some of the organizations on the bill have been trying to pass even longer than we have and so we will be in line behind them. We don't expect the plates to be available until later in 2026, but we will keep you posted!

Boatloads of thanks to all our supporters for making this victory possible!!

Historic Whidbey's Lynn Hyde (far left) joins fellow beneficiaries of the bill from the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association, the Washington Tree Farm Program and the Washington State Beekeepers Association as Gov. Bob Ferguson signs Senate Bill 5444.