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House committee advances bill letting motorists choose single or two license plates
Summary
The House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee voted 7-2 to advance House Bill 237, which gives vehicle owners the option to display one license plate instead of two. County clerks and law-enforcement representatives raised identification and administrative concerns during committee discussion.
The House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee advanced House Bill 237 on a 7-2 vote after brief public testimony and committee discussion.
The bill would allow vehicle owners to choose whether to display one license plate instead of the current two-plate configuration. Representative Larson moved the bill out of committee; Representative Tarver seconded the motion. The committee recorded seven ayes and two nos when the roll call concluded: Representatives Banks and Posey voted no; all other members present voted yes.
The committee heard one public witness, Alan Thompson, executive director of WASCOP (Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and County Officers), who urged caution. "There are two purposes for a license plate, and that's a collection of tax and, use of for law enforcement purposes," Thompson said, adding that the front plate helps with identification. He did not present a formal amendment but asked members to consider language that would encourage issuance of a second plate to avoid a sharp drop in two-plate displays if motorists are given a choice.
Representative Wiley, who had been asked during an earlier meeting to consider amendments, said he did not plan to bring an amendment in committee and described the change as a potential short-term adjustment for clerks and motorists. "The clerks are still going to be able to receive these payments for the registrations ... they're still going to be able to give out ... and help the folks put a plate on," Wiley said, characterizing the issue as a transition rather than a policy change to treasurer or budget authority.
Representative Banks said she would vote no because her county treasurer worried the change could centralize work at the state level and put county positions at risk, and she cited concerns about reduced local efficiency.
The committee did not adopt any amendments during the hearing and moved the bill to the floor as presented.
Votes at a glance: motion to move HB 237 (moved by Rep. Larson; seconded by Rep. Tarver) — outcome: passed, tally 7–2 (Aye: Grainger, Larson, McCann, Tarver, Wiley, Brown, McCann listed earlier as aye; No: Banks, Posey).
The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.
