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Committee approves bill allowing a second license plate for disabled veterans
Summary
The committee approved legislation to authorize a second motor-vehicle registration plate for disabled veterans so a spouse or minor child can use that plate; sponsors said eligibility aligns with VA disability determinations.
The House Rules Committee approved a bill (LC394705) that would allow disabled veterans to obtain a second license plate for use by a spouse or minor child. Sponsor testimony said the proposal narrows prior broader language by focusing on disabled veterans so a fiscal note would not be required.
According to the sponsor, the bill applies to veterans who are permanently and totally disabled as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as well as veterans who qualify under an annual verification procedure. The sponsor explained the statutory code contains two sections: one covering permanently and totally disabled veterans (who need not re-certify annually) and a second covering veterans who qualify but must verify status periodically.
Committee members asked whether the bill changes the Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) exemption. The sponsor and committee counsel clarified this measure does not create a second vehicle TAVT exemption; it authorizes only an additional plate for eligible disabled veterans. Department of Revenue staff present indicated no fiscal note was required and offered a rough estimate that the narrower focus reduces the potential plate count relative to a broader veterans-only approach (the sponsor said the all-veterans count would have been nearly 400,000 plates while the disabled-veterans figure would be a little over 100,000).
A motion to pass was made and seconded; the committee approved the bill by voice vote and the measure will be forwarded for further processing.
Sponsors said eligibility will be established by VA documentation consistent with existing processes; permanent total disability is determined by the VA and documented by letter, while other disabled veterans may provide annual verification.
