HCS SCS SB 623 -- LICENSE PLATES

SPONSOR:  Westfall (O'Connor)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Motor
Vehicle and Traffic Regulations by a vote of 9 to 0.

This substitute allows U. S. congressional members to get 2 sets
of specialized license plates.  Current law provides only one
set of plates.

The substitute standardizes the $15 fee for speciality and
personalized license plates and makes various statutory sections
consistent on the requirement of the additional fee.  Military
and certain specialty plates may 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.  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.  A surviving spouse of any person with a military plate
will be allowed to retain the plates as long as he or she does
not remarry.

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.  The
committee must direct the Director of Revenue to implement its
guidelines for all specialized license plates no later than July
1, 2002.

The department is allowed to issue 30-day, temporary permits to
applicants for personalized plates.  The substitute also allows
dealers to issue temporary permits to non-residents.

Penalties are provided for any person who makes a false
statement or declaration to the director.

The substitute also simplifies department procedures, including
allowing statements where affidavits are now required,
clarifying the procedure for use of a license plate issued in
the year the vehicle was manufactured, and allowing reproduction
of the emblem or logo on plates.  The substitute makes the
following new plates available:  "Fraternal Order of Police";
"Missouri Police Chiefs Association"; "Missouri Federation of
Square and Round Dancers"; "Missouri 4-H"; "St. Louis College of
Pharmacy"; "Elks Lodge"; "MO-AG Business"; "Missouri Corners and
Medical Examiners"; "Hearing Impaired Kids Endowment Fund,
Inc."; "Eagle Scout"; "St. Louis Zoo"; "Kansas City Zoo";
"Springfield Zoo"; "Optimist Club"; "Safari Club"; Botanical
Gardens"; and "Animal Friendly."

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say congressional members should be
allowed to have a second set of plates.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Westfall.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:48 am