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Minutes for SB397 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Providing for the choose life license plate.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 14, 2018
The hearing on this bill was opened by Chairperson Petersen. Scott Wells, Revisor's Office, gave a briefing. The bill creates a new distinctive license plate in Kansas on or after January 1, 2019 for "Choose Life." As the bill has no sponsoring organizations, similar to the "In God We Trust" plate, the bill will require 1,000 persons committed to buying the distinctive plate before the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) starts issuing them.
Senator Hardy asked what the break-even point is on specified plates. Mr. Wells said possibly a KDOR representative could answer.
Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook provided proponent testimony (Attachment 1). She said this bill will give Kansas citizens the ability to promote the choice for life on their Kansas vehicle license plates. Many other states already have this option available. "Choose Life" is a civil expression that encourages the choice of living, the choice for nourishing and upholding human life she stated.
Senator Pettey asked about this distinctive license plate request which is different than others. Senator Pilcher-Cook said the difference is there is no sponsoring organization.
Senator Hawk asked where the profit would go if there is no sponsoring organization. Senator Petersen noted no logo fee is associated with the bill. Staff noted most fees related to vehicle registration go into the State Highway Fund.
Senator Tyson thanked Senator Hilderbrand and Senator Pilcher-Cook for bringing this bill before the Committee.
Proponent testimony was given by Senator Richard Hilderbrand (Attachment 2). He said he strongly supports this bill, and there is also a bill in the House which is very similar. Thirty-two states have approved a Choose Life license plate, including neighboring states Missouri, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. Senator Hilderbrand said the design has been done by a 10-year-old girl. He circulated to the Committee the sample plate designs from other states. Senator Hilderbrand had a sample for the Kansas plate, which was e-mailed to Committee members.
Senator Schmidt asked whether digital license plate production would change any of the parameters for the design of personalized or specialized license plates or open new possibilities. Chairperson Petersen said digital production should make it easier since license plates would not have to be in stock. Deb Wiley, KDOR Project Manager on Digital License Plates Project, said there are some design restrictions because the digital plates will be printed using only four colors of ribbon. She added possibilities are wide open if the words fit on the plate and the colors will suffice.
Written proponent testimony was presented by Douglas Carlson, Herington, (Attachment 3) and Michael Schuttloffel, Executive Director, Kansas Catholic Conference (Attachment 4).
There was no neutral or opponent testimony. The hearing was closed.
