Bill would waive veterans recognition plate fees; sponsor says modest fiscal cost covered by general fund

Senate Bill 596 would require the Oregon Department of Transportation to waive otherwise required registration fees and surcharges for veterans recognition license plates when requested by an eligible veteran. The measure would appropriate an unspecified amount from the general fund to the Department of Transportation for the 2025‑27 biennium to cover implementation and waivers.

Senator Winsve Campos, sponsor of SB 596, told the committee the measure was prompted by a constituent who faced hardship when obtaining a veterans recognition license plate and argued that asking veterans to pay to receive recognition is inconsistent with honoring their service. Campos said anticipated fiscal impact is modest — roughly $100,000 annually and a one‑time $25,000 implementation cost — and that the general fund would cover the change so the DMV and Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) budgets would not see shortfalls.

Committee members asked for clarification about which specific plate types and fees the bill would affect and whether ODVA or federal funding might be available. Senators noted distinctions between permanent disabled veteran plates and voluntary specialty plates; sponsor said she will consult further with ODVA and DMV staff and stakeholders about language and funding. No committee vote on SB 596 was recorded in the transcript.