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Committee advances repeal of Lewis and Clark bicentennial license plate statute
Summary
House Bill 641 would remove an outdated statutory specialty plate program for the Lewis and Clark bicentennial and move affected organizations into the Department of Justice’s specialty plate process; the committee passed the bill unanimously after hearing from Commerce and the Montana Historical Society.
Representative Courtney Springer explained House Bill 641 would remove the outdated Department of Commerce statutory program for the Lewis and Clark bicentennial specialty license plate and bring the plate under the Department of Justice's streamlined specialty plate process. Springer said the change does not eliminate funding opportunities for the nonprofits that have benefited from the plate.
Mandy Rambo, deputy director at the Department of Commerce, told the committee Commerce notified impacted organizations in August 2023 and provided DOJ application guidance. Rambo said plate sales have declined: "In the fiscal year 2024 ... there were over 500 plates sold," and she noted the organizations may struggle to meet DOJ's 400‑plate threshold without adjustments; Commerce suggested a redesign and partnering across organizations to increase sales.
Molly Krukenberg, director of the Montana Historical Society, said the Historical Society received funding through the plate program and said the original plate was established in 2002 to support the Lewis and Clark bicentennial celebration. Committee members had limited follow‑up questions; the sponsor closed and urged passage.
During executive action the committee moved and advanced HB 641 by voice vote with proxies recorded; the committee reported unanimous passage and the bill will go to second reading on the House floor.
