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Committee advances bill to create Gold Star family and father license plates after DMV reports lower production cost
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Summary
Representative Arnold Davis sponsored HB1078 to let fathers and other family members obtain Gold Star license plates. DMV testified the fiscal impact is now modest (estimated $28,000–$55,000) and the committee approved an amendment clarifying acceptable proof of relationship before moving the bill 'ought to pass' as amended.
Representative Arnold Davis told the Senate Transportation Committee that House Bill 1078 would expand eligibility for Gold Star license plates beyond mothers to fathers and other family members who can document a qualifying relationship to a service member who died in service.
Davis said prior fiscal estimates exceeded $200,000 but that the Department of Safety’s revised manufacturing process reduced the cost dramatically; he offered a technical amendment (recommended by the deputy adjutant general) to clarify acceptable proof—such as a birth certificate or VA benefit letter—to verify relationship to the deceased.
Family members gave emotional testimony. Erica Grohn and her husband described losing their son in a training accident and urged the committee to allow their family the same visible recognition afforded Gold Star mothers. Stephanie Ouellette, survivor outreach services coordinator and Gold Star sister, described the existing decal plate as an interim measure and said a stamped plate would better honor surviving families.
John Marasco, director of the DMV, and Jennifer O’Leary, registration bureau administrator, explained the fiscal note: O'Leary said production and setup costs for one or two new plate types would range roughly from $28,000 to $55,000 depending on quantities, and that costs would be covered through registration fees rather than a state appropriation.
Committee members debated the amendment language and agreed to a committee amendment that replaces a vague "recognized authority" phrase with specific forms of documentation (birth certificate, marriage certificate or VA benefit letter). The committee then entered executive session, approved the amendment by voice vote and moved the bill as amended with an "ought to pass" recommendation.
What happens next: The committee's 'ought to pass as amended' recommendation will be reported to the full Senate calendar per standard process; the DMV will produce the plates if enacted and the production costs will be offset by registration fees.
