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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 10, 2022 11:02 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative John A. Lawrence |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | COSPONSOR MEMO - Authorizing PennDOT to Auction Specialty License Plates |
| SUMMARY A number of states have offered unique or specialty license plates to motorists via auction. This proposal would implement a similar program in Pennsylvania, specifically authorizing the issuance of a special blue and yellow license plate with up to eight alphanumeric digits. PennDOT or its contractor would be able to auction desirable alphanumeric combinations to interested motorists. Revenues generated through the sale of these plates would be deposited into the motor license fund. DETAILS Pennsylvania is home to over 10 million registered vehicles. Each one has a license plate. For over forty years, some have voluntarily elected to pay more to obtain a vanity license plate with a custom alphanumeric combination. In recent years, a number of states have looked towards expanding vanity license plate programs, including auctioning off desirable combinations and specially designed plates. I was surprised to learn that some plate combinations have been auctioned for more than $100,000. One such story can be viewed at the attached link: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/9665630/12thman-vanity-license-plate-sold-us-record-115000-texas After reviewing programs in Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, Oregon, Texas, and Massachusetts, I put together a proposal that would work in Pennsylvania. This bill will authorize PennDOT or its contractor to issue a new optional blue license plate with gold characters, with a border mimicking the outline of the state of Pennsylvania. Interested motorists could purchase this plate with a standard alphanumeric combination or a vanity combination. Alphanumeric combinations up to eight characters would be authorized as well, and desirable combinations would be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Funds raised through the sale or auction of these plates would be deposited into the motor license fund. To be clear, everything about this program is completely voluntary. No one has to buy one of these license plates. But evidence from other states shows that similar programs have raised millions of dollars from folks who voluntarily chose to buy one of the special plates at auction. Earlier this session, the House Transportation Committee held a hearing on this idea. Testimony and feedback provided from that hearing will be worked into this legislation with the goal of implementing a program with the support of PennDOT and the State Police. I would appreciate your cosponsorship of this initiative. |