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Committee advances bill allowing impoundment of vehicles fitted with license‑plate flippers
Summary
Senate Bill 296 would authorize law enforcement to impound vehicles equipped with devices that conceal license plates when the device cannot be quickly and safely removed; amendment clarifies officer discretion and cost responsibility for impoundment.
The Senate Transportation and Safety Committee advanced Senate Bill 296, which authorizes law enforcement to impound a vehicle fitted with a device that flips or hides a license plate when the device cannot be quickly and safely removed and the owner's removal is not feasible.
Why it matters: Committee testimony framed the devices—so‑called "plate flippers"—as tools commonly used to evade identification while committing traffic offenses; supporters said the measure gives officers an option to remove the device from the road safely and to have the offender pay reasonable impoundment costs.
Senator Garnhire presented the bill, explaining officers would not be required to remove devices themselves and that the bill clarifies the officer’s discretion to direct the driver to relocate to a safer place to remove the device. The bill's amendment (drafting code 03/2024) added language the Department of Safety requested to clarify "military language" and the operational discretion for officers.
The amended bill authorizes impoundment if the device cannot be quickly and safely removed by the owner or operator; it does not authorize permanent forfeiture of the vehicle. The committee adopted the amendment and then voted to advance the bill. Senators who recorded "aye" included Senator Bailey, Senator Briggs, Senator Campbell, Senator Hatcher, Senator Pote, Senator Powers, Senator Seal, Senator Taylor and Chairlady Massey; the chair announced nine ayes and the item was placed on the calendar.
Ending: The committee adopted the amendment and advanced Senate Bill 296 to the chamber calendar with the understanding the bill is intended to allow safe removal of plate-flipping devices and to charge offenders reasonable impoundment costs.
