Committee hears specialty license plate bill to fund upland bird conservation

Micah Ryzak, regional representative for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Kansas, told the Senate committee that Senate Bill 403 would create two specialty plates — Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever — that vehicle owners could choose beginning July 1, 2026. Ryzak said the plates would provide a voluntary way for Kansans to support habitat conservation, public access and youth education, and that more than 600 Kansans signed the Department of Revenue petition required to move the designs forward.

Ryzak described his group as a habitat organization and said its members ‘‘are deeply committed to the future of Kansas wildlife, working lands, and upland heritage.’’ He said the organization’s chapters and staff have worked across the state to improve habitat and that additional specialty‑plate revenue would sustain and grow that work.

An unidentified presenter outlined the bill’s funding mechanics: specialty plates would be issued on regular registration and plate fees; the sponsoring organization would set an annual royalty fee — the presentation described a customary royalty ‘‘in an amount of up to between $25 to $100’’ — and annual royalty payments would be credited to Pheasants Forever Inc.

Deanne Williams, director of vehicles for the Department of Revenue, clarified how plate revenues are distributed. Williams said $40 from each plate goes to the State Highway Fund; the Department does not charge a separate plate fee and does not use the $40 to pay the Department’s costs. Williams also said manufacturing costs are a little over $6 per plate and that mailing and related costs bring the total ‘‘to like, $10.19 or something like that.’’

Committee members questioned the fiscal impact and administrative burden on local registration offices. Micah Ryzak said his group collected 643 petition signatures (250 required per plate design) and estimated that with a $25 royalty initial sales would recoup start‑up costs (the presentation referenced a $5,000 per plate cost from a state fund in initial calculations). Some senators discussed adding a modest $10 fee on personalized plates to ensure the Highway Fund and administrative costs are covered.

No opponents or neutral witnesses appeared; the committee closed the hearing on SB 403 without taking a committee vote at that time.

The bill’s next procedural step was not recorded in the hearing; interested parties were told to ‘‘stay tuned’’ for further action and a related bill was noted to appear at a later meeting.