Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/08/2006 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB273 | |
| HB245 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 273 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 245 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE BILL NO. 245
"An Act relating to registration and license plate fees
for Purple Heart recipients, prisoners of war,
Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, and spouses of
current prisoners of war."
Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 245, labeled 24-LS0604\S, Luckhaupt,
2/6/06. Representative Stoltze OBJECTED for discussion
purposes.
SUZANNE CUNNINGHAM, STAFF, CO-CHAIR MEYER, explained that
the new CS has two changes. It includes Congressional Medal
of Honor recipients under the same paragraph that provides
license plates for Pearl Harbor survivors and former
prisoners of war (POW). It also provides for no fee for the
registration of the plates or for the plates. The second
change is that the current POW and spouse eligibility for a
plate was removed and an immediate effective date was added.
Representative Kerttula asked why current POWs and spouses
were cut out. Ms. Cunningham related that when looking at
the specialty license plates as a class, there is no
eligibility for those categories. The intent of this
legislation is to honor those who serve our country.
Representative Kerttula asked how many current POWs there
are. Ms. Cunningham replied that she is unsure if there are
any at this time.
2:39:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BOB LYNN, SPONSOR, shared disappointment that
the POW and spouse categories were removed. He spoke of a
preference to leave them in, in order to honor them.
Representative Weyhrauch asked if a Missing in Action (MIA)
category should be included. Representative Lynn said he
had no problem with that idea. Representative Weyhrauch
asked how a MIA veteran would apply for a license.
Representative Lynn replied that the spouse would apply for
it.
Ms. Cunningham referred to earlier legislation in 2003
whereby anyone could purchase a commemorative license plate
to support veterans. The money raised from the sale of
those plates would be appropriated back to support services
for veterans.
2:44:03 PM
DUANE BANNOCK, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES,
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, opined that many of the
automobiles are in the name of the veteran and the spouse.
He gave an example. Under Chapter 48 when two names are on
the vehicle title, either party can make an application for
a license. He discussed the Commemorative Veteran's License
Plate, which honors military personnel.
Representative Stoltze noted that the license plate bill has
become more complicated. He asked Representative Lynn if
the CS was acceptable. Representative Lynn noted a
preference for the original bill, but stated acceptance of
the new CS.
2:48:06 PM
Representative Stoltze WITHDREW his OBJECTION.
Co-Chair Meyer asked that the OBJECTION remain on the table.
Representative Foster noted that he had recently been in two
Division of Motor Vehicle offices and did not notice the
commemorative veterans display.
Mr. Bannock commented that he would be disappointed if each
office did not show a display of all available license
plates.
Representative Kerttula inquired if language in the current
law would include those that who are currently POWs. Mr.
Bannock replied that he was referring to past tense (former)
prisoners of war. He understood that the statute indicates
past tense.
Representative Kerttula questioned the circumstances if the
person has been, and is currently, a POW. Mr. Bannock
responded that if a person came in with a document that tied
POW to a name that was listed on the vehicle, that customer
would receive the plate. He acknowledged that it could be
challenged. There are a total of 34 vehicles with POW
license plates.
2:52:57 PM
Representative Stoltze WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being
NO further OBJECTION, CSHB 245 was adopted.
Representative Hawker noted concerned that the proper term
for Congressional Medal of Honor should be "Medal of Honor".
Representative Lynn responded that he did not know, but he
offered to research it. Representative Foster stated that
he also did not know.
2:56:28 PM
Discussion occurred between committee members regarding the
possibility of clarifying the Prisoner of War status.
Representative Lynn offered to check with the Department of
Defense regarding that language.
Co-Chair Meyer recommended that the number of amendments be
limited.
Representative Hawker commented that he would vote with an
"amend" recommendation.
2:58:24 PM
Representative Foster MOVED to REPORT CSHB 245 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSHB 245 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal note by the
Department of Administration.
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