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Committee advances bill lowering applicant threshold and adding Gold Star plate exemption for military special license plates
Summary
The committee approved amendments and reported House Bill 31 46 (as amended) to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, adding a Gold Star family plate fee exemption and reducing the number of applicants required for military organization special plates.
The West Virginia Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported House Bill 31 46, as amended, to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass, and referred the measure under its double-reference to the Finance Committee.
Committee counsel (identified in the transcript as Mara) explained that House Bill 31 46 reduces the number of applicants required for the Division of Highways to issue a special registration plate for congressionally chartered military organizations from 100 to 50. Counsel also explained that House Bill 20 65 was struck and inserted into the bill; the inserted language creates a Gold Star family license plate and exempts a qualifying Gold Star parent from registration fees for one Gold Star family plate for personal use. Counsel said the amendment clarifies that eligibility for the Gold Star lapel button follows federal language and specifies the surviving family member who may request the plate.
John Springer, director of vehicle services at the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, appeared at the committee's request and testified that the addition of the Gold Star plate “doesn't really change revenue,” and that the largest change in the bill is lowering the threshold of applicants required to establish a plate. When asked about previously raised concerns that the senate version would reduce revenues, Springer said he did not have the senate substitute in front of him but indicated the Gold Star addition alone would not materially change revenues.
Vice Chair Taylor moved the strike-and-insert amendment, which the committee adopted by voice vote. Taylor then moved that the engrossed House Bill 31 46, as amended, be reported with the recommendation that it do pass but be first referred under the original double committee reference to the Finance Committee. The committee approved that motion by voice vote; the chair declared the motion adopted.
The transcript does not include a roll-call tally. The measure was forwarded to the Finance Committee and to the full Senate with the committee's recommendation for passage.
