L0263.01T

To repeal section 301.451, RSMo Supp. 1996, relating to special motor vehicle license plates for certain veterans.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

     Section A. Section 301.451, RSMo Supp. 1996, is repealed and three new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 1, 2 and 301.451, to read as follows:

     Section 1. Any person who served in the Korean war and was honorably discharged from such service may apply for special motor vehicle license plates, either solely or jointly, for issuance either for any passenger motor vehicle subject to the registration fees provided in section 301.055, RSMo, or for a nonlocal property carrying commercial motor vehicle licensed for a gross weight of nine thousand one pounds to twelve thousand pounds as provided in section 301.057, RSMo, whether such vehicle is owned solely or jointly. Any such person shall make application for the special license plates on a form provided by the director of revenue and furnish such proof of service in the Korean war and status as an honorably discharged veteran as the director may require. Upon presentation of the proof of eligibility and annual payment of the fee required for personalized license plates prescribed by section 301.144, RSMo, and other fees and documents which may be required by law. The director shall then issue license plates bearing letters or numbers or a combination thereof as determined by the advisory committee established in section 301.129, RSMo, with the words "KOREAN WAR VETERAN" in place of the words "SHOW-ME-STATE". Such plates shall also bear an image of the Korean war service medal. The plates shall be clearly visible at night and shall be aesthetically attractive, as prescribed by section 301.130, RSMo. No more than one set of special license plates shall be issued pursuant to this section to a qualified applicant. License plates issued pursuant to this section shall not be transferable to any other person except that any registered coowner of the motor vehicle may operate the motor vehicle for the duration of the year licensed in the event of the death of the qualified person.

     Section 2. Any person who served in World War II and was honorably discharged from such service may apply for special motor vehicle license plates, either solely or jointly, for issuance either for any passenger motor vehicle subject to the registration fees provided in section 301.055, RSMo, or for a nonlocal property carrying commercial motor vehicle licensed for a gross weight of nine thousand one pounds to twelve thousand pounds as provided in section 301.057, RSMo, whether such vehicle is owned solely or jointly. Any such person shall make application for the special license plates on a form provided by the director of revenue and furnish such proof of service in World War II and status as an honorably discharged veteran as the director may require. Upon presentation of the proof of eligibility and annual payment of the fee required for personalized license plates prescribed by section 301.144, RSMo, and other fees and documents which may be required by law. The director shall then issue license plates bearing letters or numbers or a combination thereof as determined by the advisory committee established in section 301.129, RSMo, with the words "WORLD WAR II VETERAN" in place of the words "SHOW-ME-STATE". Such plates shall also bear an image of the World War II service medal. The plates shall be clearly visible at night and shall be aesthetically attractive, as prescribed by section 301.130, RSMo. No more than one set of special license plates shall be issued pursuant to this section to a qualified applicant. License plates issued pursuant to this section shall not be transferable to any other person except that any registered coowner of the motor vehicle may operate the motor vehicle for the duration of the year licensed in the event of the death of the qualified person.

     301.451. Any person who has been awarded the purple heart medal may apply for special motor vehicle license plates for any vehicle he owns, either solely or jointly, other than commercial vehicles weighing over twelve thousand pounds. Any such person shall make application for the special license plates on a form provided by the director of revenue and furnish such proof as a recipient of the purple heart medal as the director may require. The director shall then issue license plates bearing letters or numbers or a combination thereof, with the words "PURPLE HEART" in place of the words "SHOW-ME STATE" in a form prescribed by the advisory committee established in section 301.129. Such license plates shall be made with fully reflective material with a common color scheme and design, shall be clearly visible at night, and shall be aesthetically attractive, as prescribed by section 301.130. There shall be an additional fee charged for each set of special purple heart license plates issued equal to the fee charged for personalized license plates, but the additional fee shall only have to be paid once by the qualified applicant at the time of initial application. No more than two sets of purple heart license plates shall be issued to a qualified applicant. License plates issued under the provisions of this section shall not be transferable to any other person except that any registered coowner of the motor vehicle shall be entitled to operate the motor vehicle for the duration of the year licensed in the event of the death of the qualified person.