SCS/HS/HCS/HB 1434 - This act makes numerous changes to the license plate laws. Many new types of special license plates are created, and an Advisory Committee is established to decide what types of special categories should be added in the future.

DOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE - The Department of Revenue may, after July 1, 1999, issue special license plates with emblems to any other public or private entity pursuant to guidelines developed by an advisory committee. The Advisory Committee shall have 6 members: 1 senator, 1 representative, 3 department directors, and 1 citizen appointed by the Governor. The Committee shall organize by November 1, 1998, and shall hold at least 3 public meetings to solicit input. It shall adopt guidelines for the issuance of special license plates for other public and private entities by July 1, 1999. (Sec. 6, 301.129)

The advisory committee shall also establish a revised uniform design for all license plates by April 1, 2000. The new plates will be issued during 2001 for most vehicle owners.

HISTORIC PLATES - Vehicles registered with historic plates must carry the registration papers at all times. Historic plates must be over 25 years old and not in conflict with any other plate numbers currently issued.

TEMPORARY PLATES - Temporary license plates shall be good for 30 days from the date of vehicle purchase. Current law allows 20 days, and it runs from the date of issuance in some cases. Temporary permits, good for 15 days, may be purchased by nonresident buyers from dealers or from the Dept. of Revenue for $10.

PERSONALIZED PLATES - The categories of vehicles eligible for all special and personalized plates are slightly altered. The words "AMATEUR RADIO" are placed on amateur radio plates, and they shall not need an affidavit. The Director of Revenue shall prescribe the form for all special license plates.

FEES - There shall be no fee for Congressional Medal of Honor plates. The fee for personalized plates shall not be charged in addition to the $15 fees charged for the military plates.

PLATE LIMITS - There shall be no limit on the number of special plates issued to a qualified person in the following categories: Congressional Medal of Honor; Retired Military; Former P.O.W.; surviving spouses of POWs; Combat Infantryman; Pearl Harbor Survivor; Armed Forces & Reserves; Purple Heart; Silver Star; Vietnam Veteran; Korean War Veteran; and World War II Veteran.

COLORS - Combat infantry plates shall have a blue and white color scheme.

CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND - The $25 logo fee may be payed to the Director of Revenue, who shall forward the fee to the children's trust fund.

NEW PLATES - New categories are created for: "Bronze Star", "Gulf War Veteran", Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation ($25 emblem fee), Missouri Botanical Garden ($35 emblem fee), Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation ($25 emblem fee), Missouri Federation of Square and Round Dance Clubs ($5 emblem fee); Fraternal Order of Police ($25 emblem fee); Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks ($25 emblem fee); professional sports teams ($35 emblem fee goes to Jackson Co. sports authority and to St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission to promote the teams); St. Louis Italian-American Bocce Club ($25 emblem fee); and Ducks Unlimited ($25 emblem fee).

EMBLEMS - Organizations may furnish their own artwork in digitized format. (Sec. 8)

BUSES, TRAILERS - The Director of Revenue shall allow school buses to retain license plates from year to year through the use of tabs. Small trailers may be registered in the same month as the owner's other vehicle. (Sec. 13, 14)

EMERGENCY - The act has an emergency clause.
MICHAEL HOEFERKAMP