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House OKs License Plates for Disabled Vets
HB 438 Authorizes Free Plates to Honor Veterans' Sacrifice

(JUNEAU) - Disabled veterans in Alaska would receive specially designed license plates at no charge in recognition and appreciation of their service to the nation, under House Bill 438, sponsored by Rep. Lesil McGuire (R-Anchorage) and passed by the House today.

"I'm honored to sponsor a piece of legislation that honors the service of the men and women who gave a part of themselves to preserve our freedoms," McGuire said on the House floor just before the unanimous vote to pass her bill. "With 72,000 veterans in Alaska, more than 27,000 of them classified as disabled, Alaska owes a special debt of gratitude to disabled veterans."

HB 438 would authorize the state to issue special red, white and blue license plates, bearing the legend "Disabled Veteran" and graphic depiction of a crossed U.S. and Alaska flag, to qualified Alaska residents who are veterans of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard or the Alaska Territorial Guard, and who are 50 percent disabled, McGuire said.

The plates will carry special registration numbers, starting with the letters DAV and followed by three numbers. For those veterans whose disabilities render them legally handicapped under state statutes, the plates will include the international wheelchair symbol, which will afford them all special parking privileges afforded other handicapped motorists, McGuire said.

"Those who took time from their life as private citizens to serve their country in uniform, and who suffer permanent disability or injury as a result of that service, deserve the recognition and thanks of all Alaskans," McGuire said. "These license plates are both an important symbol of our appreciation, and a real, if modest, financial benefit to our disabled veterans."

HB 438 moves next to the Senate for consideration.

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