CCS/HS/HCS/SS/SB 70 - This act contains provisions for motor vehicle license plates.

GENERAL DESIGN - All license plates shall be made with fully reflective material, shall be clearly visible at night and shall be aesthetically attractive. All license plates except those with military designations shall have a common color scheme and design. Plates with military designations shall have a white background with a red and blue design. An advisory committee shall determine the exact designs and the size and number of figures.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE - The Advisory Committee for the Department of Revenue shall consist of the Director of Revenue, the Superintendent of the Highway Patrol, the Correctional Enterprises Administrator, one person appointed by the Governor, one State Senator and one State Representative. The committee shall hold at least three public meetings around the state and shall adopt its final design by April 1, 1996.

ISSUANCE OF NEW PLATES - The Department of Revenue shall issue fully reflective plates for all vehicle registration renewals and for all permanent trailer plates between January 1, 1997 and January 1, 2000. An additional fee of up to $2.25 shall be charged per plate or set of plates for everyone except disabled veterans and former prisoners of war. The fee shall be $1.15 for vehicles required to have only one license plate. The additional fees shall be based upon actual cost.

BIDDING - The competitive bidding process shall consider the aesthetic appearance and illumination capability of the license plate. The Advisory Committee may select plate processes approved on the effective date of this section.

DISABLED - Plates for the physically disabled may be issued for blind persons and for persons with AIDS. The plates may be placed on commercial vehicles weighing up to 24,000 pounds. Parking in access aisles for the disabled is prohibited; a violation is an infraction with a fine of $50-200. A physician's statement shall be on a form prescribed by the Department of Revenue and signed by the physician. The expiration for temporary placards shall be 30 days if the physician does not set one.

SPECIAL PLATE VARIETIES - A second set of license plates may be issued for members of the Missouri General Assembly. Legislative and congressional plates shall retain their black and gold plate colors. Licensed plates stamped prior to 1979 may be registered as a "year of manufacture" personalized plate by paying the fee for personalized license plates. Special plates are authorized for fire districts with a symbol of a Maltese cross.

COMMERCIAL PLATES - The fees for commercial vehicles and trailers shall be paid by December 31 each year. License plates for commercial buses shall be displayed on the front. License plates may be transferred to replacement commercial motor vehicles instead of returned to the Department of Revenue. Commercial vehicle applicants may request two license plates. See also SB 156.

EFFECTIVE DATE - The above provisions, except for the creation of the advisory committee, shall be effective on January 1, 1997. The provisions below have the regular August 28, 1995 effective date.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES - The maximum range for vehicles licensed as local commercial vehicles is increased from 25 to 50 miles. Commercial vehicle owners returning plates to another state shall be issued a refund by the Director of Revenue.

DISABLED VETERANS - Disabled veterans may renew their special plates without showing proof of disability if their disability is permanent. These plates may be placed on commercial vehicles weighing up to 24,000 pounds.

UNDISPOSED TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS - A driver's license which is suspended for failure to dispose of charges may be renewed when proof of payment is furnished by the individual (instead of by the court) to the Department of Revenue.

MISCELLANEOUS - Additional changes are made for special mobile equipment and for height and weight exceptions for fire apparatus.

NEW PLATE TYPES - Special license plates shall be issued for "helping schools" ($15 emblem use fee), "silver star", "Vietnam conflict", "Masons" ($25 emblem fee), "Knights of Columbus" ($25 emblem fee), "fraternal Order of Eagles" ($25 emblem fee), and "Order of the Eastern Star" ($25 emblem fee). The fee required for personalized license plates must also be paid for each of these special plates ($15).
MIKE HOEFERKAMP