Senate approves special license plate honoring women veterans, repeals Pearl Harbor survivor plate

The Arkansas Senate on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 45 to create a women veterans special license plate and repeal the Pearl Harbor survivor license plate. The vote was reported as 35 ayes, 0 nays.

Senator Wallace, sponsor of the bill, described it as recognition for women who have served in the armed forces. "This bill will recognize the female veteran the women veterans in the state of Arkansas with their own distinct license plate. We're replacing the Pearl Harbor license plate," Wallace said on the floor.

Wallace told senators there are only 16 living Pearl Harbor survivors nationally and said the Motor Vehicle Commission has 25 Pearl Harbor survivor plates available. He described the fee structure for the new plate: "Remember this license plate? The initial fee will be $15, and that's standard with, new license plates. When you renew, it will be cost of, I think, a dollar, a dollar and a half. Of that $15, it will go back to repay our department of, veterans affairs. They're sponsoring this part. Once it's paid back, the the money gathered from that $15, that's over and above what the cost was, will be used and will be spent, to help with female veteran issues."

No questions or amendments were recorded on the floor. The sponsor closed by asking for a "good vote," and the clerk later reported the final tally as 35-0 in favor.

The bill moves to the House for further consideration following the Senate vote.