Provides for distinctive plates for gold star families

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Harckham

Creates a Gold Star Family license plate to honor families of fallen service members; eligibility defined, DMV runs program, fees may fund veterans' services.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

Summary of Bill S 7276 — Provides for Distinctive Plates for Gold Star Families

Overview

Bill Number: S 7276

Title: Provides for distinctive plates for gold star families

Sponsor: Pete Harckham (primary)

Status: Referred to Transportation (introduced April 8, 2025)

Classification: bill

Legislative Actions: On 2025-04-08, the bill was referred to Transportation (listed twice in the actions field)

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to create a distinctive, state-issued license plate design to honor and recognize Gold Star families—families who have lost a loved one in military service. The designation is intended to provide visibility and public acknowledgment of the sacrifice of family members who died in the line of duty.

Key Provisions (as indicated by the bill’s title and typical structure of similar measures)

Establishment of a Gold Star Family distinctive plate design that can be issued to eligible applicants.

Eligibility criteria to be defined in the bill (generally limited to immediate or immediate-family members of a service member who died in service; exact definitions would be set forth in the text).

Application and approval process through the state Department of Transportation (or equivalent motor vehicle agency).

Design standards and branding guidelines to ensure compatibility with existing license plates and state insignia.

Fees and use of revenues (issuance and annual renewal fees, if any) to be specified, with possible allocation to veterans’ services, memorial funds, or related programs.

Administrative provisions, including compliance, renewals, and any required demonstrations of eligibility at renewal.

Who Would Be Affected

Primary: Gold Star families eligible under the bill’s criteria, who would be able to obtain the distinctive plate.

Government/Agency Impact: The state motor vehicle agency would administer the program, including application processing, plate production, and renewal management.

Potential Secondary Impacts: Increased visibility and recognition for Gold Star families; potential impact on administrative workload and related costs, as well as any designated use of fees collected.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

The bill has been introduced and referred to the Transportation committee, indicating the initial step in the legislative process.

No information provided on floor votes, deadlines, or companion bills. The next steps typically include committee consideration, potential amendments, and eventual floor votes, subject to the legislative calendar.

The duplication in the listed legislative actions (referral to Transportation twice) suggests a clerical or formatting duplication rather than a substantive difference.

Notes for Readers

The exact eligibility criteria, fee amounts, funding allocations, and design specifications will be detailed in the full bill text. This summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose and the standard components of state-issued distinctive plates.