CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 49(STA) "An Act relating to commemorative license plates celebrating Alaska's 50th anniversary as a state; and providing for an effective date." This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance Committee. DOUG LETCH, Staff to Senator Gary Stevens, the bill's sponsor on behalf of the Statehood Celebration Commission (Commission), communicated that this legislation would change the look of Alaska's vehicle license plates to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Statehood in 2009. This was one of several ideas proposed by the Commission to honor the event. Mr. Letch stated that the license plate design chosen by the Commission [copy on file] would be the State's official license plate for a few years beginning in January 2008. Co-Chair Stedman asked for information about the 2017 date referenced in the sectional analysis of the bill. Mr. Letch deferred to the Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Administration. 9:06:19 AM DUANE BANNOCK, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Administration testified via teleconference from Anchorage and advised the Committee that an earlier version of the bill would have made these commemorative license plates available through the year 2017. He speculated that the continuance of that date in the most recent sectional analysis was an oversight. Mr. Letch concurred. 9:07:11 AM Senator Huggins asked whether a collector's edition of the license plate would be available. Mr. Bannock stated that non-registered collector plates would be available for five dollars. 9:08:04 AM GAIL PHILLIPS, Chair, Statehood Celebration Commission, testified via teleconference from an offnet location. The Commission was formed to plan for the State's 50th anniversary celebration. Events would begin in 2008 and culminate on January 3, 2009, the actual statehood anniversary date. Having an "historic license plate" to honor the event during 2008 and 2009 was one component of the festivities. Ms. Phillips reported that the Commission worked with DMV to design the appropriate commemorative license plate. Sitka artist, Dean Potter, designed the celebration logo and graphics acknowledging Alaska as part of the United States were incorporated with the logo on the plate. Ms. Phillips expressed the Commission's enthusiasm for the design and the prospect of the plate being available to the public either as a vehicle license plate or a commemorative item. She urged the Committee to support the legislation. 9:09:52 AM Co-Chair Hoffman asked whether the sample provided to Members was the final design. He also asked what other designs had been considered. Ms. Phillips affirmed the sample provided to the Committee was the final design. The Commission contemplated numerous ideas and coordinated with DMV to develop a design that would work within the Department's strict license plate design specifications. Co-Chair Stedman shared having heard support for a plate "with a little bit more pizzazz". Ms. Phillips acknowledged, but reiterated that the plate design must adhere to DMV license plate regulations. 9:11:10 AM Senator Olson asked whether people could purchase other specialized license or vanity plates during this timeframe. Ms. Phillips deferred to DMV. Mr. Bannock affirmed that such plates would continue to be available. The commemorative plate would "simply substitute" for the standard issue license plate referred to as "the Last Frontier" plate. Senator Olson asked whether the commemorative plate's background design would be used on vanity plates. Mr. Bannock advised that a variety of background options, including the commemorative plate background, would be available for vanity plates. ' Senator Thomas asked whether a bear or wolf image had been considered for the design. Mr. Bannock deferred to Ms. Phillips, as the Commission made the final design determination. DMV's role had been advisory. 9:13:10 AM Ms. Phillips elaborated on the extensive design effort the Commission conducted before finally selecting the design before the Committee. Co-Chair Hoffman moved to report the bill from Committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection, CSSB 49(STA) was REPORTED from Committee with previous zero fiscal note #1 from the Department of Administration. 9:14:29 AM