"An Act relating to special motor vehicle registration plates; and providing for an effective date. "

The State of Alaska, Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for all motor vehicle registration. Part of the registration process includes the issuance of license plates displaying the registration identification (plate number) with the month and year of the vehicle's registration expiration. Currently the DMV is issuing the gold and blue "Last Frontier" plate as the standard plate, which is included in the cost of registering the vehicle.

Passenger vehicle owners interested in plates other than the standard "Last Frontier" plate have several options. DMV currently offers 32 specialty plates including veteran's plates, recipient of the Purple Heart, collector vehicles, children's trust plates and university plates. Some of the specialty plates are available to only those that meet certain criteria (e.g. veterans plates) and others are sold as revenue generators for a specific purpose (e.g. a portion of the fee for plates commemorating Alaska veterans may be appropriated to programs benefiting Alaska veterans). The purchase of these plates is separate from the fee for the vehicle registration. In addition to the specialty plates, passenger vehicle owners are able to purchase "vanity" plates that display up to six characters as requested by the vehicle owner.

Owners of vehicles used in commercial activities do not have the same options above as owners of passenger vehicles. The statute restricts the use of "vanity" plates and the use of most specialty plates to passenger vehicles, motorcycles, noncommercial vans or pick-ups, or motor homes.

This bill will change that practice. It will allow all motor vehicles subject to registration the opportunity to display the standard, "vanity" or a specialty plate offered by the DMV. Each additional plate sold will generate additional revenue for the State of Alaska.

While being heard in House State Affairs, this bill was amended to allow elected state official's registration plates to be retained after they have expired.

CS HB 178 (STA) am

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