A bill currently being considered could create special license plates to fund music programs in Washington State schools.

House Bill 2763 (HB-2763), known in Olympia as the “Music Matters” bill, traces back to an idea first formed by Music Aid Northwest. It is co-sponsored by Rep. Geoff Simpson (D-Covington), Rep. Mike Sells (D-Everett), Rep. Marcie Maxwell (D-Renton), Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim), Rep. Mark Miloscia (D-Federal Way), Rep. Dan Kristiansen (R-Snohomish), Rep. Kathy Haigh (D-Shelton), Rep. Ruth Kagi (D-Lake Forest Park), Rep. Maralyn Chase (D-Shoreline). The bill was introduced Jan. 13 and referred to the House Committee on Transportation.

Currently, Washington State offers specialty license plates for a variety of themes or causes, including state colleges, branches of the military, sports teams, parks, and environmental organizations ( http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/specialdesign.html ). The plates cost up to $45 in addition to standard licensing fees.

For more information, visit http://www.musicplates.org/ .

The “Music Matters” bill was one of several bills briefly discussed Wednesday in Olympia during a meeting of the Washington State Heritage Caucus, a forum for people to learn more about how pending legislation and current initiatives might impact the state’s cultural, heritage, and arts resources and organizations.

The Heritage Caucus meets every Wednesday morning from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. during legislative sessions in Olympia on the Capital Campus, Cherberg Building, Conference Room A-B-C. For more information, visit http://www.arts.wa.gov/projects/heritage-caucus.shtml .