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HB 6734

AN ACT REDUCING FOR VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES THE FEE FOR CERTAIN SPECIALTY MOTOR VEHICLE NUMBER PLATES TO NOT MORE THAN THE COST TO MAKE SUCH PLATES.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jaime Foster and 3 co-sponsors

Caps veteran and military specialty license plate fees at the production cost, ensuring no markup for veterans, active/retired service members, National Guard, or eligible spouses.

FILE NO. 303
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Bill Summary · HB 6734

Summary — HB 6734 (File No. 303)

Title: AN ACT REDUCING FOR VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES THE FEE FOR CERTAIN SPECIALTY MOTOR VEHICLE NUMBER PLATES TO NOT MORE THAN THE COST TO MAKE SUCH PLATES.

Main purpose / intent

The bill would require that fees charged for certain specialty motor vehicle license plates issued to veterans and members of the armed forces (and, by implication, related groups such as National Guard members, spouses, or survivors where those plates apply) be reduced to an amount that is no greater than the actual cost to produce those plates. The intent is to lower or eliminate any markup above production cost for eligible veterans/service members obtaining specialty plates.

Key provisions (as implied by the title and subject)

  • Caps the fee charged for designated specialty motor vehicle number plates for veterans and members of the armed forces at “not more than the cost to make such plates.”
  • Applies to specialty plates administered through the Motor Vehicle Department (DMV) and related programs involving veterans affairs.
  • Likely applies to specialty designs that identify veteran status, service branch, National Guard affiliation, or similar military-related plate categories (the bill text is not provided, so exact plate types are not enumerated).
  • Implementation and administrative details (e.g., how “cost to make” is calculated, effective date, and whether the cap applies to new issues, renewals, or both) are not specified in the provided summary.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: veterans, active or retired members of the armed forces, National Guard members, and potentially eligible spouses or survivors who obtain veteran- or military-related specialty plates.
  • Motor Vehicle Department (DMV): would administer the changed fee structure and track production costs.
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs and veterans service organizations: may see changes in access to plates or outreach needs.
  • State finances: potential reduction in fee revenue associated with these specialty plates; effects on programs that receive surplus plate fee revenue (if any) would depend on how revenues are currently allocated.

Fiscal and implementation considerations

  • The Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis were asked to review the bill (referred 03/21/25), indicating expected fiscal analysis.
  • Potential revenue reduction for the DMV or for special funds if current plate fees include a surcharge above production cost; the magnitude would depend on current fees and the number of affected plates.
  • Administrative changes likely needed to (1) define and track “cost to make,” (2) adjust point-of-sale systems, and (3) communicate changes to eligible registrants.

Legislative status and timeline (key actions)

  • 2025-01-24: Referred to Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs.
  • 2025-02-04 / 02-13: Reserved for public hearing; public hearing held 02/13/25.
  • 2025-02-18: Vote to draft.
  • 2025-03-05: Drafted by committee.
  • 2025-03-06: Referred to Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs.
  • 2025-03-11: Joint Favorable; filed with LCO.
  • 2025-03-21: Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis (03/26/25).
  • 2025-03-27: Reported out of LCO; Favorable report and tabled for House Calendar — House Calendar Number 205; File No. 303.

Notes / Outstanding details

  • The actual bill text is not included in the materials provided. Important operational details — which specific specialty plates are covered, how production cost is defined, effective date, and treatment of renewal/transfer transactions — would need to be confirmed from the bill’s text or the Office of Legislative Research report.
  • The bill’s fiscal impact will depend on current specialty plate fees, production costs, and the volume of affected plates.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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