HB 771 -- Special License Plates

Co-Sponsors:  Ross, O'Connor

This bill establishes an Advisory Committee for the Department
of Revenue for the purpose of developing guidelines for the
issuance of motor vehicle specialized license plates.  The
guidelines adopted will be used by the Director of Revenue
regarding, but not limited to the following:

(1)  The types of entities that will be allowed to place their
emblem on a plate;

(2)  The design allowable for, and the specification of, an
emblem on a plate;

(3)  Recommendation as to the number of specialized plates that
will be requested before plates are issued; and

(4)  Recommendation as to the total number of plates that should
be issued containing any specific emblem, organization, or
society.

The Advisory Committee will consist of the directors of the
departments of Revenue, Public Safety, and Corrections; one
person appointed by the Governor; one State Senator; and one
State Representative.

The committee will meet prior to November 1, 1999, and select a
chair.  The committee will hold public hearings around the
state, develop guidelines, and direct the Director of Revenue to
implement the guidelines for all specialized license plates not
later than July 1, 2000.

The bill makes it clear that all military plates may be obtained
for noncommercial motor vehicles and for local or nonlocal
commercial motor vehicles licensed for a gross weight not in
excess of 12,000 pounds.

All military plates, except the  Congressional Medal of Honor
plates, will cost $15 in addition to the regular registration
fee charged.  Former Prisoner of War plates will have no fee for
the first set of plates but the standard fees will be charged
for each subsequent set of plates.  The fee for the issuance of
a personalized license will not apply to these plates.  There
will no longer be a limit on the number of plates a person may
obtain as long as each set is issued for vehicles owned solely
or jointly by the person.

An emblem, seal, or logo reproduced on a license plate will be
reproduced in as clear and defined a manner as possible.  If the
emblem, seal, or logo is unacceptable to an organization, then
it will be the organization's responsibility to furnish the
artwork, contained in the emblem, seal, or logo, in a digitized
format.