The Committee on Transportation was called to order at 2:36 p.m., on Tuesday, April 13, 1999. Chairwoman Vonne Chowning presided in Room 3143 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Guest List. All Exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mrs. Vonne Chowning, Chairwoman

Ms. Genie Ohrenschall, Vice Chairwoman

Mr. Douglas Bache

Mr. John Carpenter

Mrs. Barbara Cegavske

Mr. Jerry Claborn

Mr. Tom Collins

Mr. Don Gustavson

Mrs. Kathy McClain

Mr. Dennis Nolan

Mr. David Parks

Ms. Bonnie Parnell

Mr. Kelly Thomas

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:

Senator Valerie Wiener, Clark County Senatorial District 3

Senator Lawrence Jacobson, Western Senatorial District

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

OTHERS PRESENT:

Richard Wimmer, deputy general manager, Administration, Las Vegas Valley Water District, thanked the committee for the opportunity to speak about a significant project to southern Nevada, the Big Springs Archeological District. He described the importance of the project to the Las Vegas Valley Water District. The district was formed in the early 1950’s and one of the inherited holdings was a 180-acre tract of land three miles west of downtown Las Vegas. That area was a water source and an important part of the water distribution system to downtown Las Vegas. When archeologists began to explore the Big Springs site, they discovered it had another important value. It was the historical core of southern Nevada. Mr. Wimmer explained the city of Las Vegas existed due to the water resource provided by Big Springs property. He felt the district needed to be involved in the preserve because, as stewards of that property, the Las Vegas Valley Water District had a responsibility to the community to protect the city’s heritage by preserving its birthplace.

Mr. Wimmer explained the commemorative license plate would raise money for the project as well as an awareness of Las Vegas history. The Las Vegas Water District turned to community’s leaders for help and formed the Las Vegas Springs Preserve Foundation to raise funds for the foundation and to guide its development. He referred to a Las Vegas Springs Preserve Foundation information packet (Exhibit C), which included an organizational chart, listing of foundation committees, listing of members, catalog of planning and development costs, as well as historical and geographical information. Mr. Wimmer showed a video on the Las Vegas Springs Preserve formally known as The Mojave Desert Preserve.

The video discussed the history of The Las Vegas Springs Preserve from its prehistoric beginnings to the present day. It emphasized the intricate part it had played in the development of Las Vegas. Research conducted during the latest decade revealed irreplaceable prehistoric and historic archeological sites as well as rare and endangered plants and animals located on the sanctuary’s grounds. The 180-acre sanctuary would serve both to protect the ecosystem and to understand the springs’ unique resources. The video described interactive exhibits and working archeological and environmental research. The video concluded by stating The Las Vegas Springs Preserve would be a unique project. It would contribute to the region’s cultural fabric and create a sense of belonging for Las Vegas, "a city of the desert not just in the desert."

Mrs. Chowning explained the committee’s familiarity with special license plates, emphasizing the committee’s creation of them. The provision of the $35 initial fee with $10 of that going to the special cause. The renewal fee would be $25 with $5 going to the special cause. Mrs. Chowning also stated the committee’s knowledge of the 4-year deadline to gather 250 orders. She asked if the Las Vegas Springs Preserve project had a design in place, and if it was possible to predict the success of license plate orders. In addition, she asked where the projected proceeds from the license plates would go.

Janie Gale, president, Las Vegas Springs Preserve project, began by stating the significance of the Las Vegas Springs Preserve as a biological sanctuary, which served as a habitat for a vast array of plants and animals. She also emphasized its historical value as the birthplace of the city of Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Springs Preserve project was a public-private partnership of the Las Vegas Valley Water District and the Las Vegas Springs Preserve Foundation. Ms. Gale expressed her hope for a cultural resource representing a facet of history by Las Vegas’ centennial. She asked the committee not to think of the Las Vegas Springs Preserve site as a place but as a symbol because it represented where Las Vegas began.

Ms. Gale reported the Las Vegas Springs Preserve Foundation did not know what form the preserve would take, just as they did not know what form the license plate would take. Nevertheless, in keeping with the creation of a community resource, the product would be shaped by the entire community. She defined their role as the private arm of the partnership which would help raise the necessary capital and work with all segments of the community to create a shared vision of the future.

Ms. Gale explained S.B. 204 was important because of the funds it would generate from thousands of southern Nevadans who would purchase the license plates, and because it would also allow people to show the project was important to their community. Ms. Gale stated many people told her what a wonderful and important project it was. She contended the bill would allow a variety of people from all lifestyles to play a part in the preservation of the Las Vegas Springs. Moreover, she felt it would establish a fraternal bond among the thousands of people who shared those feelings.

Ms. Gale encouraged the committee to enact the bill to increase the public’s awareness of the Las Vegas Springs Preserve as a valuable resource. In conclusion, she declared everyone in southern Nevada would buy the license plate.

Mr. Wimmer assured the committee 1,000 people was a realistic number. He explained their website recorded over 100 inquiries for orders in just a few days. He felt there was significant interest and enthusiasm for the project, and those were the qualities needed to drive the demand for the license plates, which would get them out there raising the awareness. Ms. Gale added the historic fact of the Las Vegas Springs Preserve as Las Vegas’ birthplace increased their appeal.

Mrs. Chowning commented on the Lake Tahoe License plate passed in 1997, which currently had approximately 12,000 orders, many of which were from southern Nevada. The artistic beauty of special license plates, such as the firefighters’ plate and the Lake Tahoe plate, had proven to be very popular. The special license plates were a very successful way for the state to earn money. For example, the profits from the firefighters’ license plate went back into the highway fund.

Mrs. Chowning then asked if they had any ideas what the plate would look like. Mr. Wimmer answered the plate had not yet been designed. The foundation wished to take some time to develop a license plate which would inspire people to display the plates. Ms. Gale added she would personally like to see some of the wildlife in the license plate design.

Assemblyman Bache asked whether the foundation would object to increasing the number of plate order applications to 1,000 and shortening the time-limit requirement to 2 years. Mr. Wimmer said those requirements would not pose a problem. Mr. Bache expressed his concern over the expense of some special license plates with stipulations of only 250 plate orders in 4 years (in order for the plate to be produced originally).

Peter English, chief of registration division, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS), wished to clarify the fiscal note. He explained the DMV&PS sent an amended fiscal note to the Department of Administration changing $3849.00 to no fiscal note. Mrs. Chowning asked for the amended fiscal note to be provided to the committee as soon as possible. She also asked if the DMV&PS sent an amended fiscal note for A.B. 27 to the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. English explained they had amended the fiscal notes on all of the special plates based on current information from their vender.

ASSEMBLYWOMAN OHRENSCHALL MOVED TO DO PASS S.B. 204.

ASSEMBLYMAN COLLINS SECONDED THE MOTION

Mr. Bache asked Ms. Ohrenschall to amend her motion to read 1,000 license plates over 2 years. Ms. Ohrenschall did not agree, and his request died.

THE MOTION PASSED WITH ASSEMBLYMAN BACHE VOTING NO AND ASSEMBLYMAN NOLAN NOT PRESENT FOR THE VOTE.

Mrs. Chowning closed the hearing on S.B. 204 and opened the hearing on S.B. 67.

Senator Valerie Wiener, Clark County Senatorial District 3, explained S.B. 67 authorized the DMV&PS to design and prepare special license plates upon request. She asked for the committee’s support for the bill for two main reasons: efficiency and direct public service.

Senator Wiener explained S.B. 67 represented a legislative commitment to efficiency. As the first historic 120-day legislative session progressed, it was important for the legislature to use its time and resources efficiently. The legislators came to Carson City to serve the people and the public expected efficiency in government. She proposed S.B. 67 out of public demand for efficiency in the legislature.

Senator Wiener conveyed, in the past five sessions of the Nevada State Legislature, 28 special license plate bills had been introduced. She discussed the high cost of processing those bills. She included the time needed for legislators and committee personnel to prepare and attend hearings and for the Legislative Counsel Bureau (LCB) to provide additional expertise and support when needed. She also listed the additional time and money expended by fiscal analysts, agency personnel, and by each legislator who reviewed the bill before voting.

Senator Wiener’s second point was S.B. 67 would serve the public more directly; it was a consumer bill. Currently, the window of opportunity to establish a special license plate was limited to 4 months every 2 years. S.B. 67 would provide the public year-round access to the process of establishing a special license plate through the DMV&PS. That would create a minimal department impact because DMV&PS already had jurisdiction over license plates. She discussed the substantial research needed, therefore recommended the activities of S.B. 67 be placed solely with DMV&PS.

Senator Wiener worked with LCB staff for several months before session started researching how other states dealt with special license plates. The most successful provisions were included in S.B. 67. She urged the committee’s support for S.B. 67, out of respect for efficiency and the opportunity to provide Nevada’s consumers with access to special license plate hearings, as well as respect for DMV&PS for the service they provided.

Mrs. Chowning asked if Mr. English would inform the committee if S. B. 67 changed any fees already in place on special license plates. Mr. English assured the committee the fee structure would not change. He wished to support the bill. He communicated the issue concerning special plate funding had been problematic for the DMV&PS in the past. However, there would be a bill before the committee, S.B. 490, which created a revolving account to fund special license plates. The Senate Committee on Transportation passed the bill and routed it to the Senate Committee on Finance.

Mr. English explained S.B. 490 would be a mechanism by which all the special license plates could be funded. Should it pass, all fiscal notes for special license plates on which the DMV&PS would testify would be nullified. It would be a great opportunity, not only for those organizations requesting license plates, but also for the DMV&PS to create a mechanism to fund special license plates. He conveyed S.B. 490 would let the DMV&PS collect a portion of the $35 fee to go directly to the license plate factory for producing special plates. At the end of each fiscal year, if the balance of that fund was greater than $50,000, the surplus would revert to the highway fund.

Mrs. Chowning thanked Mr. English for informing the committee about S.B. 490 concerning the enterprise fund because it would help all special license plate bills including S.B. 67. She asked if the DMV&PS anticipated an increase in the need for personnel due to the increase in the workload created by S.B. 67. Mr. English answered the department did not anticipate any need for additional personnel. If S.B. 67 passed, they planned to create a special license plate committee similar to the 2001 license plate committee. It would be comprised of members of the community, the legislature, and DMV&PS to make decisions as to which plates would be appropriate.

Senator Wiener explained there would be additional requirements to create special plates. To insure substantial commitment towards obtaining a special plate, the bill would require 50 signatures to get a special plate hearing. Mrs. Chowning agreed with the new provision, which required a commitment and an organized plan from an association before they asked for the special plate.

Assemblyman Carpenter asked if the effective date was October 1, 1999. Mr. English confirmed the effective was October 1, 1999.

Mr. Collins was concerned the bill would allow companies who met the provisional requirements to ask for a special plate without discretion of the legislature. He asked if the DMV&PS committee could treat special license plate requests with the same timeliness and discipline as the legislature. Mr. English assured the committee with proper funding the DMV&PS could provide the plates in a timely manner. He suggested a time limit after special plate approval was acceptable. Senator Wiener pointed out the bill stated on page 2, the plate could not be of a discriminatory nature or promote a certain product. If a company was to petition for a special plate, it would be at the discretion of the DMV&PS to decide if a plate promoted a product. They would have to address that problem through regulations.

Mr. Collins asked what the appeal process would be for a person or group if they were not granted a license plate. Senator Wiener explained that issue arose in the Senate hearing as well. There was a suggestion from Senator O'Donnell for a legislative appeal process. When she and LCB researched other states’ procedures, she found no other state excluded the legislature’s involvement from the process. No stipulation in the bill denied a person an appeal to the legislature. A hearing process was also discussed in the Senate hearing on S.B. 67. Senator Wiener emphasized no one could stop a citizen from asking the state legislature for a special plate bill. However, she hoped they would take advantage of the process in the bill to expedite their request.

Mr. English added there was a hearing process established under NRS 233B, which would allow an appeal of the DMV&PS’s decision through an administrative hearings process. He felt the bill provided the department the right to create regulations. The DMV&PS would establish criteria for special license plates to be acceptable. They would judge each license plate request on the established criteria.

Mr. Collins asked if the legislature could review the regulations established by the DMV&PS next session. Mrs. Chowning explained the regulations would be a matter of public record and could be reviewed by the legislature at any time. Mr. Carpenter added the Legislative Commission frequently reviewed public records and hearings in the adoption process. Ms. Ohrenschall stated she was Chairwoman of the committee which reviewed proposed regulations and reported their findings to the Legislative Commission.

Assemblyman Gustavson expressed concern about section 2, page 2 and subsection B of subsection 2 in S.B. 67. He asked if the department would set plate approval regulations or follow the conditions listed. Mr. English explained the department would have to set regulations to be consistent in its interpretation of the law. Input from the Attorney General’s Office would be needed in the process as to acceptable symbols on a state plate.

Mr. Benjamin Blend, citizen, voiced three concerns over the increasing number of special license plates in Nevada. First, he felt many the special license plates did not represent the culture or history of Nevada. State license plates were an opportunity to express pride in one’s state. Second, he felt the DMV&PS was not qualified to determine which plates were offensive or discriminatory because they were not an elected body, which represented the people. He was worried about corruption which could arise because the DMV&PS was not held to the same standards as an elected body. Lastly, if Nevada had too many special license plates, increasing confusion could arise in identifying Nevada State plates.

Mrs. Chowning wanted to remind everyone the committee passed several bills concerning special license plates. Special license plates were for only a few people in the state who purchased them by choice. Whatever the special license plates supported, they were not mandated. People could have one vehicle display their interest on a special plate and another vehicle with a state plate. She discussed the new Nevada state license plate. It would be primarily the state colors of silver and blue. However, the committee agreed some other colors may be used.

Mrs. Chowning closed the hearing on S.B. 67 and opened the hearing on S.B. 65.

Senator Lawrence Jacobson, Western Senatorial District, explained he and Hale Bennett were proposing how to identify volunteer emergency personnel including firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians. He showed the committee the plain yellow license plate, which they had created. Each department put their identifying decal on it. He emphasized its primary purpose was for identification. The placard had been used for a while; however, he found out in 1998 the placard had no validity because it was not authorized by statute.

Senator Jacobson indicated the placard was not mandatory and some departments chose not to use it. For those who did, the chief of each volunteer fire department could ask for up to 25 placards if there were 25 members and could put their own identification decal and numbering system on the placard. The chief of that department would be accountable for the placard and the issuance, as well as the member who had it. If the member quit the department, the chief would be responsible for retrieving the placard.

Senator Jacobson illustrated the situations of the volunteer departments. When an alarm went out by either pager or other communication, available volunteers responded to an incident. Response time was a volunteer firefighter’s biggest challenge. They needed to get to the scene. At times, Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) would stop them. A volunteer firefighter not dressed in fire gear could waste valuable time explaining the situation to troopers. NHP could still prohibit them from going to the incident, but an identifying license plate would allow them to bypass a roadblock.

Senator Jacobson listed other purposes. Some departments put an ambulance at every athletic event, manned by a couple of volunteers. During a shift change, event officials could identify the person with that placard as emergency personnel and the volunteers could move to and from the event. Furthermore, some departments would respond to incidents in California. The California Highway Patrol could recognize a volunteer in their private vehicle with the placard. Lastly, many of the volunteer fire departments ran an ambulance service. If there was an accident, the placards would identify paramedics and emergency medical technicians allowing them to get to the scene in their private vehicles.

Senator Jacobson explained volunteer firefighters received one placard. Therefore, they placed it on the vehicle they used for their daily activities. It gave them no special privileges other than access to an incident. It had been used for years. It just needed to be authorized in the statutes. He added when volunteers were in emergency equipment, everyone knew who they were and what they were doing. However, emergency personnel needed identification also when they responded in their own vehicles.

Senator Jacobson pointed out the placard did not cost anything, and there was no cost for the volunteers. He discussed the trip to the license placard factory, where he was informed they had the material and the placards were still available. Senator Jacobson requested Hale Bennett, John Holmes, and Bill Driscoll give further testimony on S.B. 65.

Mrs. Chowning expressed appreciation to Senator Jacobson and the other volunteer firefighters for all they did for the State of Nevada. She pointed out the provision for the fee was taken out of the bill. However, the copy of the bill in the committee’s bill books was not the amended version. Senator Jacobson affirmed there was not a fee.

Mrs. Chowning then asked where the placard would be mounted. Senator Jacobson answered the placard was always placed on the front of the vehicle. He reiterated each volunteer only received one placard. Therefore, the volunteers would mount it on their everyday vehicle. He explained all the volunteers responded from their place of business or their homes. The volunteers were alerted by a siren. They would go either to the firehouse or to the scene of the fire. The volunteer fire departments were dispatched by the county sheriff’s offices. Senator Jacobson pointed out the Federal Government’s regulations mandated the fire departments have at least four people on the fire engine while in use. That was a hardship on many of the departments because volunteers were in different places. He stated it was impossible to fight a fire without equipment. Therefore, they needed to get their equipment to the scene first. The volunteers were cross-trained to do all the required jobs of a firefighter.

Senator Jacobson reported there were 2,500 volunteer firefighters and 2,500 paid employees with the volunteer fire departments throughout Nevada. The departments provided a variety of services to their communities. He felt the rural areas could not contend with a serious emergency without the volunteer firefighters. The departments required all the equipment be compatible so they could help each other in an emergency. He recalled it was necessary to use five fire engines to fight a fire in Genoa. The volunteer fire departments were the catalysts, which held many small communities together.

John Holmes, volunteer firefighter, stated the departments used the yellow placards as identification for approximately 16 years. He and Hale Bennett decided they needed to have the practice authorized by the state. Therefore, they asked for Senator Jacobson’s assistance.

Mr. Holmes agreed with the Senator’s statement regarding how helpful the special placards were in breaking a roadblock. The need for the placard came when the ladies, including Mr. Holmes’ wife, started in the fire service. He recalled an incident in which his wife was stopped going to a fire scene. The sheriff’s officer questioned her and called dispatch. His wife found the following comment from the officer amusing: "I have some blond out here in a Cadillac who claims she is a fireman." After that incident, they realized they needed some sort of identification for the volunteers, which would authorize their access to the scene of a fire.

Hale Bennett, past chief of registration, DMV&PS, explained S.B. 65 was almost a copy of a bill which circulated at the end of session about 16 years ago, but there was a proposed amendment to the bill which killed the bill. Afterward, he and John Holmes decided to make the placards on their own. However, now they needed to legitimize the practice they had in place.

Mr. Bennett addressed the fee, which Mrs. Chowning had asked about earlier. He explained the only expense to DMV&PS was the material. DMV&PS did not keep any records, nor did any printing or embossing on the license placard. It was blank material, which was provided to the fire departments and therefore DMV&PS never charged a fee; the bill reflected the fact there was no fee.

Mrs. Chowning asked if the DMV&PS donated the material. Mr. Bennett explained the DMV&PS purchased the material in bulk quantities. The few placards that were issued per year to the volunteer firefighters were a minute percentage of what they would spend per license placard per year. Therefore, rather than charging 7 cents for each placard, it was easier to donate the placards to the fire departments.

Mr. Holmes clarified the volume of placards. For example, the Jacks Valley Department started using the placards 16 years ago. Presently, their placards numbers were in the eighties. He predicted 100 placards should last a department 20 years.

John Riggs, fire photographer and former volunteer firefighter, testified he started as a volunteer firefighter 40 years ago. Occasionally, a law enforcement officer stopped him while driving to a fire in his private vehicle and he would need to explain he was a volunteer firefighter, which wasted valuable time he could have used to fight the fire.

Mr. Riggs expressed how frustrating it was when he could not be identified as a firefighter while wearing civilian clothes. It was hard to drive a fire truck in full gear. It was impossible to drive a car with fire gear on, because the gear was confining.

Mr. Riggs stated the bill was long overdue. One of the most important things to fight a fire with was manpower. The volunteer departments needed every man they could get. Even if the apparatus was not at the scene yet, most volunteers were trained to start rescue work and fire containment. The closest volunteer to the station needed to get the fire truck to the scene as quickly as possible. The other volunteers responded in their cars. The placard would help them get through the fire lines.

Mr. Riggs explained he currently worked as a fire photographer. He had several problems gaining access to a fire scene. It was important for him to gain access to the scene of a fire to obtain a good picture as soon as possible. He reminded the committee his work was displayed in the legislative building. He emphasized his volunteer fire service and his fire science degree. He could still handle a hose with the best of them. For him, getting on the scene as a photographer was also important. The placards gave the volunteers identification.

Mrs. Chowning asked if Mr. Riggs would receive a placard as a photographer. He stated he was not currently with an active volunteer fire department, although he was trying to qualify for a placard.

Bill Driscoll, chief, Central Lyon County Fire Protection District, believed other witnesses had covered all the major points. He welcomed any questions from the committee.

Mrs. Chowning again thanked the volunteers for all their work. She asked Mr. English to come forward and answer several questions. First, she asked if DMV&PS had the sufficient material for the placards so they would not acquire a fiscal note. Mr. English said there were approximately 4,000 to 6,000 of the yellow placards at the tag plant. They were created before he started working for DMV&PS, therefore he was not sure how the placards were first developed. Mr. English assured the committee there were certainly sufficient numbers available for the volunteer firefighters.

Mrs. Chowning asked him if DMV&PS would return to the legislature requesting a change in the provision when materials for the placards ran out. Mr. English responded they would have to ask for a change in the provision if the DMV&PS exhausted the 4,000 to 6,000 placards.

Mrs. Chowning then asked who would be eligible to receive placards. Mr. English speculated chiefs of recognized fire departments would apply for the placards needed for their departments. Mr. Holmes explained the chief of each department would have the responsibility of issuance and retrieval of placards. It would be the responsibility of the chief to decide who would receive one. To clarify, Mrs. Chowning asked if Mr. Riggs wanted a placard, he would have to plead his case to the chief of the volunteer fire department. Mr. Holmes affirmed her statement was correct.

Mrs. Chowning asked if the Nevada Highway Patrol ever had a problem during the 16 years in which the fire departments used placards. Mr. English assured the committee placards had benefited law enforcement agencies because they provided identification for emergency personnel.

Mrs. Chowning thanked the gentlemen for their testimony. She closed the hearing on S.B. 65 and opened the hearing S.B. 209.

Wayne Frediani, executive director, Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association, voiced support of S.B. 209. He stated he had testified before Senate Transportation Committee last month. The bill would assist law enforcement as well as the state. Mr. Frediani stated it would not be a costly measure to the industry, and the industry supported S.B. 209.

Mr. Frediani explained when a dealer sold a car a dealer’s report of sale was placed in the lower front right corner of the windshield. Some people drove with the dealer’s report of sale in the window without registering the car within the 10-day required period of time. The bill would put an expiration date on the temporary placard which would coincide with the dealer’s report of sale on the rear license plate. This rear placard would allow law enforcement to see violators who had not registered their vehicle by the expiration date.

Mrs. Chowning asked why law enforcement needed S.B. 209 to assist in making sure people registered their cars. Mr. Frediani thought S.B. 209 had two purposes: it helped collect privilege taxes and registration fees, and it assisted law enforcement to identify who was driving with an expired dealer’s report of sale. Mrs. Chowning asked why the bill had a fiscal note for the local governments. Mr. Frediani did not know.

Mrs. Chowning inquired regarding the cost of the placards as well as who absorbed that cost. Mr. Frediani explained the DMV&PS would have a cost for the development of the placard and would charge the industry a fee for the purchase of them. He thought the fee would not be substantial.

Mrs. Chowning pointed out the jail requirement for a gross misdemeanor on page 6. She stated it was consistent with other provisions in the NRS chapter cited. She suggested that was perhaps the reason for fiscal impact on the local governments.

Mr. Gustavson asked whether an extension on the 10-day permit would require another placard. Mr. Frediani explained the industry issued two types of permits: the dealer’s report of sale, which he explained earlier, and the interim finance permit, which allowed the buyer an extra 10 days to secure financing. Once a buyer secured financing, they would still have 10 days from the day they were issued their dealers reports of sale to register their vehicles. By only issuing two types of permits, the buyer had no more than 20 days to register their car, which eliminated any extensions.

Mr. Gustavson reported the bill stated no other license plate could be placed on the vehicle until it was registered within the 10-day period. He inquired whether he was allowed to place his legislative license plate on a new car prior to the 10-day registration period. Mr. English explained the legislative or any other plate could not be transferred until the vehicle was registered with the DMV&PS. The dealer’s report of sale and the interim finance permit were issued as temporary registration only. The problem with placing the plate on a different vehicle was the DMV&PS’s records would show it on the previous vehicle. If stopped, law enforcement would view a fictitious registration on the vehicle. Mr. Gustavson argued the legislative plate was not registered to a vehicle but to a legislator. Mrs. Chowning clarified the legislative plate could only be placed on a previously registered vehicle.

Mrs. Chowning asked what the placard would look like. Mr. Frediani showed the committee a sticker. Mr. English explained the sticker would be the same size as the license plate and would be designed to affix to the area where the rear license plate would normally go.

Assemblywoman McClain asked if the placard would have sequential numbers, which were specific to the purchased vehicle. Mr. English answered the sequential numbers would be control numbers, which would be assigned to dealers. The information on the permit itself would have to coincide with the dealer’s report of sale, which would still be in the lower front right corner of the windshield. Mrs. McClain stated she thought she had seen similar temporary placards in Colorado. They were the size of a license plate, therefore obvious the car was new and needed to be registered. Mr. Frediani added a number of states had that type of placard.

Mrs. Chowning reiterated the fee charged was only for the cost of producing placards and all other duties were absorbed by DMV&PS. Therefore, there were no other costs. Mr. English clarified the cost of the permits were about 20 cents apiece. He thought there were amendments to the bill that allowed the department to charge the fee back to dealers and sellers. There were no additional costs to the agency.

Mrs. Chowning closed the hearing on S.B. 209 and postponed the hearing on S.B. 203.

Mrs. Chowning adjourned the meeting at 3:58 p.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Lori Fitzgerald,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, Chairwoman

DATE: