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Committee advances bill to remove word 'disabled' from certain specialty plates
Summary
The committee advanced SB161 to remove the word 'disabled' from license plates issued to Arkansans with disabilities while retaining the international accessibility symbol; sponsors said existing plates will remain in circulation and the change would phase in over time.
A Senate committee voted to advance Senate Bill 161, a measure to remove the word “disabled” from certain specialty license plates issued to Arkansans with disabilities while keeping the international symbol of access.
The sponsor told the committee the change is limited to plates issued to Arkansans with disabilities and does not affect disabled‑veteran plates. The sponsor said multiple disability advocacy organizations supported the alteration, listing Disability Rights Arkansas, Arkansas Parent Advisory Council, Arkansas Autism Resource and Outreach Center, Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission, Arkansas Accessible Parking Task Force, Arkansas People First (Little Rock chapter), Partners for Inclusive Communities and the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Committee members pressed staff and the sponsor about fiscal effects. The sponsor said the state has a stockpile of about 20,000 existing plates and that the design change would be phased in over time as inventories are replenished. The sponsor noted an initial DFA estimate had calculated a larger immediate replacement cost by assuming a recall of all plates in circulation.
After discussion and the adoption of a motion, the committee approved SB161 by voice vote to advance it. The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally.
