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Minutes for SB404 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Providing for the Korean war, operation desert storm, operation Iraqi freedom and operation enduring freedom license plates.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 28, 2018
Chairperson Petersen opened the hearing and Scott Wells, Revisor's Office, gave an overview. Mr Wells said this bill would create four distinctive license plates in Kansas available in January 1, 2019 for veterans of the Korean War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. These plates, like other veterans plates, would not be subject to the $40 distinctive license plate fee or the minimum order plate requirements. Should the plate holder die, a member of the family could retain the plate although the plate would no longer be allowed to be displayed on a vehicle.
Senator Schmidt gave proponent testimony (Attachment 3). She said she was contacted several years back by constituent, Christopher Day. A bill was introduced in the 2015 session, but at the time the State was discussing digital license plate production, and it was asked that the veteran's bill not be worked until digital plates would be a reality. Senator Schmidt said Mr. Day contacted her in mid-January of this year, and asked to get these plates going. Senator Schmidt stated this Committee has heard that digital plate production will begin in August of this year, so this seemed like a good time to re-introduce this license plate bill. Because a similar bill is coming to this Committee relating to license plates and not charging a fee, Senator Schmidt suggested maybe the bills could be combined. She added the digital production has made the veterans plates more easily transitioned.
Senator Skubal asked if the digital license plate is in the House. Senator Schmidt said no legislative action is required to initiate digital license plates, just presentations to the Appropriations Committee. August 1, 2018, five months from now, the digital plates will be reality.
Senator Goddard noted the minimum order for a new pressed plate was 500 persons, but perhaps only 10 people could pledge to buy a digital plate. Senator Schmidt said the digital plate does not require that many customers, so 10 people could still get that plate. Senator Schmidt answered there is no minimum on veteran's plates in current law. On most specialized license plates, such as the one for breast cancer awareness, there was a minimum, to ensure the Department of Revenue could recoup the costs of initial production. Senator Goddard said he received only positive feedback on this bill from his constituents.
Senator Hardy asked if some of the plates, the Korean War veteran plate in particular, might not have as big an audience. Is there an inventory of prospective buyers? Senator Schmidt said no, but this is not an issue with the digital process. She added the other three plates would have a bigger pool of eligible people to draw from and this is a very small thing the State can do for the people who have served our country. Chairperson Petersen said when looking at base realignment, sometimes the City Council minutes are reviewed. Senator Schmidt said The Governor's Military Council, which is meeting in a couple of weeks, does keep track of things legislators do for veterans in an ongoing living document. Chairperson Petersen said the fiscal note indicates the cost to produce and mail each plate is $6.91.
Chairperson Petersen asked if Chris Day was here. Mr. Day came forward and spoke about the design of the plates. He said the Vietnam veterans tag was tastefully done. Chairperson Petersen asked that he submit testimony and that he might call his senator about whom to contact to help with the design.
There was no opponent or neutral testimony.
The hearing was closed.
