04/15/2014 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE

CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 293(STA)                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act  relating to motor vehicle  registration plates;                                                                   
     relating    to   special    registration   plates    for                                                                   
     firefighters  and emergency  medical service  providers;                                                                   
     and providing for an effective date."                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:52:15 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SHERRIE KLEIN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE  PEGGY WILSON, explained                                                                   
the legislation.  She stated  that HB 293  would allow  for a                                                                   
second  license plate  to be  chosen as  the state's  primary                                                                   
plate. Currently the primary license  plate is a plain yellow                                                                   
background. This bill would allow  residents to have a choice                                                                   
between  the  plain  yellow  and  a plate  that  has  a  bear                                                                   
insignia -  very similar  to one of  our most popular  plates                                                                   
back in 1976.  According to a recent national  poll, Alaska's                                                                   
primary  license plate  is  rated  number 48  out  of the  50                                                                   
states  and   2  territories.   Our  state  deserves   better                                                                   
recognition! Bears are indelibly  linked to Alaska. This bill                                                                   
will also allow all firefighters  and EMT's whether volunteer                                                                   
or paid  to have the choice  to purchase a  specialty license                                                                   
plate  that  previously   was  only  for  active   or  former                                                                   
firefighters or EMTs.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Meyer wondered  where Alaska's  yellow plates  were                                                                   
rated in attractiveness.  Ms. Klein replied that  they ranked                                                                   
48 out of 50.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Bishop   wondered  if   there  was  any   discussion                                                                   
regarding  a totem  pole  license  plate. Ms.  Klein  replied                                                                   
that she was unaware of any discussion.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Meyer  wondered if there  was an amendment.  Senator                                                                   
Bishop replied that he may offer an amendment.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair Fairclough  queried the number of types  of plates                                                                   
that were issued in the state.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
AMY   ERICKSON,  DIRECTOR,   DIVISION   OF  MOTOR   VEHICLES,                                                                   
DEPARTMENT   OF  ADMINISTRATION,   shared  that  there   were                                                                   
approximately 30 different license plate styles.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Vice-Chair  Fairclough asked  if  there was  a standard  base                                                                   
plate.  Ms. Erickson  replied  that  the standard  plate  was                                                                   
gold  with a  blue flag.  She furthered  that it  may not  be                                                                   
attractive for consumers,  but law enforcement  felt that the                                                                   
plate had excellent visibility.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Bishop  felt  that  the lights  on  cars  were  very                                                                   
visible.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Senator Dunleavy  wondered if the mosquito license  plate was                                                                   
considered.  Ms. Erickson  replied  that she  was unaware  of                                                                   
any conversations.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Meyer CLOSED public testimony.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CSHB 298(STA)  was HEARD  and HELD  in committee for  further                                                                   
consideration.