HCS SCS SB 765 -- MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE PLATES

SPONSOR: Kenney (O'Connor)

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations by a vote of 9 to 5.

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. Any person applying for a military plate will have an option of contributing $10 to the National World War II Memorial to be constructed in Washington, D.C.

An advisory committee for the Department of Revenue is established for the purpose of developing guidelines for the issuance of 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 simplifies 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: "Prisoner of War/Missing In Action(POW/MIA)," "Native American," "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," "Distinguished Flying Cross," "Teamsters," "Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation," "Fraternal Order Of Police," and "Respect Life."

FISCAL NOTE: Estimated Net Income to Highway Fund of $145,968 in FY 2001, $328,786 in FY 2002, and $327,553 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 speciality license plates or World War II Memorial Trust Fund contributions. Estimated Net Cost to World War II Memorial Trust Fund of Unknown in FY 2001, FY 2002, and FY 2003, subject to appropriations by General Assembly. Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of $13,673 in FY 2001, $13,673 in FY 2002, and $0 in FY 2003. Estimated Net Income to Missouri Alternatives for Abortion Support Fund of $32,500 to Unknown in FY 2001, $18,827 to Unknown in FY 2002, and $32,500 to Unknown in FY 2003.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that many non-veterans have had friends and family that were prisoners of war or listed as missing in action and would like to show their support and appreciation for them with a license plate.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Kenney.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Legislative Analyst