HCS HB 1767, 1078, 1093, 1147, 1170, 1180, 1193, 1194, 1210,
1219, 1251, 1315, 1399, 1432, 1513, 1515, 1715, 1783 & 1944 --
MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE PLATES

SPONSOR:  O'Connor

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Motor
Vehicle and Traffic Regulations by a vote of 15 to 0.

This substitute allows military and certain specialty plates to
be obtained for commercial motor vehicles licensed for a gross
weight not in excess of 18,000 pounds (certain pickup trucks),
except apportioned commercial motor vehicles.  Military plates
will not be subject to the fee charged for personalized plates.
All military plates, except the Congressional Medal of Honor,
Retired Military, and the Prisoner of War plates, and most
speciality plates will cost $15 in addition to the regular
registration fee.  There will no longer be a limit on the number
of military plates a person may obtain as long as each set is
issued for vehicles owned solely or jointly by the person.

An advisory committee for the Department of Revenue is
established for the purpose of developing guidelines for the
issuance of motor vehicle specialized license plates.  This
committee must direct the Director of Revenue to implement its
guidelines for all specialized license plates no later than July
1, 2001.

The Department of Revenue is allowed to issue 30-day temporary
permits to applicants for personalized plates.  Currently,
regular plates are issued until the stamped personalized plate
is available.

Penalties are provided for any person who makes a false
statement or declaration to the Director of the Department of
Revenue.

The substitute also contains language that will simplify
Department of Revenue procedures, including allowing statements
where affidavits are now required and clarifying the procedure
for use of a license plate issued in the year the vehicle was
manufactured.

The following new plates are made available:  "Girl Scouts of
the U.S.A.," "Wilson's Creek National Battlefield," "Missouri
Federation of Square and Round Dancers," "D.A.R.E.," "Missouri
Coroners' and Medical Examiners' Association," "Missouri 4-H,"
"Missouri Botanical Garden," "Humane Society of Missouri," "St.
Louis Zoo," "Kansas City Zoo," "Springfield Zoo," "St. Louis
College of Pharmacy," "Boy Scouts of America," Elks Lodge,"
"Shriners," "American Legion," " MO-AG Association," "Bronze
Star," "Combat Medic," "Gulf War Veteran," and "Distinguished
Flying Cross."

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Income to Highway Fund of $35,735 in
FY 2001, $312,661 in FY 2002, and $311,428 in FY 2003.  Totals
do not include any additional unknown costs or income as a
result of an anticipated increase in the number of applications
for specialty license plates.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill makes military,
personalized, and speciality plates more consistent in issuance
and the fees charged.  The bill also simplifies and clarifies
several vehicle registration procedures.  Supporters say for
various reasons several new plates should be issued.

Testifying for HB 1767 was Representative Williams (159).
Testifying for HB 1078 were Representatives Ransdall and
Relford.  Testifying for HB 1093 was Representative Scheve.
Testifying for HB 1147 were Representative Boucher; Department
of Revenue; and Missouri Association of Veteran Organizations.
Testifying for HB 1170 were Representative Smith; and 4-H
members Joshua Bondy, Petty Fisher, Dana Hudson, Dale Ludwig,
and Cara Copenhaver.  Testifying for HB 1180 were Representative
Backer; Shriners Mike Backer, Berry Todd, Al Earls, George
Henner, Ron Woods, and Lt. Governor and Shriner Roger Wilson.
Testifying for HB 1193 were Representatives Ransdall and
Relford; and Missouri Association of Veteran Organizations.
Testifying for HB 1194 was Representative Ladd Stokan.
Testifying for HB 1210 was Representative Surface.  Testifying
for HB 1219 were Representatives Kennedy and Hilgemann.
Testifying for HB 1251 was Representative Kissell.  Testifying
for HB 1315 were Representative Dougherty; Department of
Revenue; and Missouri Children's Trust Fund.  Testifying for HB
1399 was Representative Seigfreid.  Testifying for HB 1432 was
Representative Relford.  Testifying for HB 1513 was
Representative Kreider.  Testifying for HB 1515 was
Representative Chrismer for Representative Champion.  Testifying
for HB 1715 were Representative Campbell; Kansas City Zoo; and
St. Louis Zoo.  Testifying for HB 1783 were Representative
Gibbons; and Missouri D.A.R.E. Officers Association.  Testifying
for HB 1944 were Representative Relford; and  Missouri MO-AG
Association.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Legislative Analyst

HB 1767 -- Special License Plates

Co-Sponsors:  Williams (159), Ross

This bill allows any person who is a member or whose child is a
member of the Girl Scouts of America to obtain a special license
plate bearing the image of the Girl Scout emblem and the words
"GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA" in place of the words "SHOW-ME-STATE."
A $15 fee along with documents and payment of all other fees
required by law will be required for the plate, with no
additional fee for personalization.