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Minutes for HB2149 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Allowing distinctive license plates to be personalized license plates.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 9, 2023
The Chair opened the hearing on HB2149.
Mr. Siebers briefed members on the bill (Attachment 4). He reviewed the statutes addressing both personalized and distinctive license plates and explained that the bill allows distinctive license plates to also be personalized license plates with an increased fee to accommodate the merging of the two.
Bryan Frye, Council Member, City of Wichita, via Web-ex testified in support of the bill (Attachment 5). He recounted how significant the distinctive license plates were both to express pride in the city and a significant boost to the city's revenue. Allowing a person to have a personalized distinctive plate will eliminate the dilemma of choosing between the two and will not only benefit the city financially, but will add an estimated $1.6 million to the State Highway Fund. Responding to a question, he replied that he would be amenable to adding a county designation to the new license plate.
LaDona Garcia, Vehicle Services Manager, Division of Vehicles, Kansas Department of Revenue, gave neutral testimony regarding the bill. Noting that distinctive and personalized license plates are on a five-year cycle that ends in 2024, she recommended the bill be amended to become effective on January 1, 2025, to obviate from additional fees those purchasing the plates (Attachment 6).
The Chair closed the hearing on HB2149.