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Committee hears bill to eliminate vehicle registration decals, savings and enforcement concerns debated
Summary
Representative McCollum presented HB 1465 to remove renewal decals for vehicle registrations, citing $5 million in printing and mailing savings and reduced county labor; committee members agreed the idea merits study but urged consultation with sheriffs, chiefs and tax commissioners on enforcement and rural technology gaps before advancing.
Representative McCollum introduced HB 1465 (LC 395015), proposing the removal of registration decals so motorists would receive a renewal receipt instead of a printed sticker. McCollum said the change would save an estimated $5 million annually in printing and mailing and reduce county labor and storage burdens: "It's a $5 million savings to the state," he said.
Members raised law-enforcement concerns that decals provide a quick visual indicator of registration status in jurisdictions without tag readers or reliable digital checks; several senators urged the sponsor to consult sheriffs' associations, chiefs of police and county tax commissioners. Proponents noted that other states have moved away from decals and that technology such as digital license plates and in-car computers reduce reliance on stickers.
Debate also covered equity for smaller or rural agencies that lack automatic plate-readers or in-car hardware. Some members recommended a stakeholder process to explore pilot programs or phased implementation rather than immediate elimination.
The subcommittee ended the hearing without a vote and encouraged the sponsor to work with law enforcement and county officials to develop options and assess enforcement impacts.
