Bill
HB 2201
Kansas authorizes new distinctive plates (FFA, Route 66, blackout) from Jan 1, 2026, with logo royalties ($25–$100) paid to sponsoring groups via a state royalty fund.
Status and key dates
- Bill No.: HB 2201
- Introduced: January 29, 2025
- Enacted: Approved by the Governor (chaptered) and effective upon publication in the Kansas Register; distinctive plates may be issued on and after January 1, 2026.
Purpose
- Authorize several new distinctive motor vehicle license plates (notably an FFA plate, a Route 66 Association of Kansas plate, and a “blackout” plate), establish procedures and funds for logo royalty payments, and revise multiple license-plate issuance, production and application requirements (including changes to personalized plate rules and military veteran plate documentation).
Main provisions and changes
- New distinctive plates
- Authorizes issuance (beginning 1/1/2026) of FFA, Route 66 Association of Kansas, and blackout distinctive plates for Kansas resident owners/lessees of passenger vehicles or trucks with gross weight ≤ 20,000 lbs.
- Each eligible vehicle may receive one distinctive plate; plates are nontransferable to another person.
- Logo royalty and funds
- Sponsor organizations (Kansas FFA Foundation; Route 66 Association of Kansas, Inc.) may permit use of their logo and set a per-plate logo royalty of between $25 and $100.
- Logo payments are collected by county treasurers, remitted to the State Treasurer, credited to a newly created royalty fund for the sponsoring organization, and paid to the organization on a monthly basis.
- Application/renewal mechanics
- Plates issued for the same registration period as regular plates; annual renewals require payment of the royalty. If royalty not paid, the plate must be returned and renewal is not processed.
- Director of Vehicles may transfer an FFA or Route 66 plate from a leased vehicle to a purchased vehicle.
- Applicants must consent to release of certain motor vehicle record information (name, address, royalty amount, plate number, vehicle type) to the sponsoring organization and State Treasurer as a condition of issuance/renewal.
- Broader statutory and procedural changes (enrolled bill)
- Personalized plates: applicants may be issued one personalized plate (rather than two); the 60‑day timing requirement for applying in connection with registration renewals is eliminated; option to display a second personalized plate on front of vehicle is discontinued.
- Registration decals: modifies requirements for design and issuance (technical/administrative changes in how decals are produced/issued).
- Military/veteran license plates: documentation requirements updated to align with current military-veteran documentation standards; the 60‑day prior application requirement was removed.
- Creation of a license plate replacement fund and various conforming amendments to K.S.A. chapters listed in the enrolled version; several existing sections repealed.
Who is affected
- Kansas vehicle owners/lessees seeking distinctive plates (FFA, Route 66, blackout).
- Kansas FFA Foundation and Route 66 Association of Kansas (receive royalties; involved in plate design).
- County treasurers, Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR)/Division of Vehicles, and State Treasurer (administration, collection, remittance).
- Military veterans applying for veteran plates (changed documentation and timing rules).
- General motor vehicle registration processes (personalized plates, decals).
Fiscal impact
- KDOR estimated one-time administrative/design/manufacturing costs of about $2,890 (FY2026).
- Estimated decrease in State Highway Fund revenue of about $4,000 in FY2026 (per the fiscal note). Ongoing royalty payments flow to the sponsoring organizations (via the royalty fund).
Implementation/timing
- Distinctive plates may be issued starting January 1, 2026.
- The act took effect upon publication in the Kansas Register (per Senate amendment).
Sources: bill text (enrolled/engrossed versions), committee supplemental notes, and the Division of the Budget fiscal note.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
