BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1908
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Date of Hearing: April 13, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Paul J. Cook, Chair
AB 1908 (Cook) - As Amended: March 11, 2010
SUBJECT : Special interest license plates
SUMMARY : Allows the California Department of Veterans Affairs
(DVA) to modify the design of license plates that support
veterans organizations. Specifically, this bill :
1)Allows California Department of Veterans Affairs to modify the
distinctive design or decal for veterans' organization special
interest license plates, consistent with existing statutory
design criteria.
2)Allows the modified license plates to be issued only after all
existing plates or decals have been issued.
3)Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), by July 1,
2011, to maintain on its Internet Web site, a link to order
online the modified license plates.
4)Repeals the statute that currently requires proceeds from the
$10 fee for replacement decals to be divided evenly between
the Veterans Service Office Fund and the California
Environmental License Plate Fund.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Allows any state agency to apply to Department of Motor
Vehicles to sponsor a specialized license plate program.
2)Allows any veterans' organization to apply for a special
interest license plate, the proceeds of which are deposited
into the Veterans Service Office Fund.
3)Requires special interest license plates to provide a 2 inch
by 3 inch space to the left of the plate's numerical series
and a space of 5/8 inch in height below the numerical series
for a distinctive design, decal, or descriptive message.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. In calendar 2008, the veterans plate
generated $600,000 in revenues.
AB 1908
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COMMENTS : According to the author, this bill is intended to
help county veteran services officers (CVSOs) and California
Department of Veterans Affairs to better market veterans
organization license plates. The resulting revenue increase
would enable county veteran services officers to expand their
operations of providing veterans and their families free claims
assistance and referral to local, state and federal programs.
It is believed that a modification of the plate's design will
make it more appealing, while having Department of Motor
Vehicles make the plate available for on-line ordering will
stimulate sales. Finally, the bill repeals the current
requirement for one-half of the revenue from replacement decals
to be deposited in the Environmental License Plate Fund.
The county veteran services officers are established at the
discretion of each county's board of supervisors. When a board
of supervisors establishes a county veteran services officer,
the county is responsible for funding the majority of its
operations, appointing the officer of the county veteran
services officers, and determining the level of staffing and
facilities needed. The county veteran services officers are
typically the first point of contact for veterans in applying
for benefits offered by the federal Veterans Administration. The
help county veteran services officers play a key role in helping
veterans and their families pursue and receive the benefits and
services for which these individuals may qualify.
The county veteran services officers provide a valuable resource
for California's large population of veterans. As the author
reports, "With offices in 54 of California's 58 counties, and
employing over 250 local government employees, the county
veteran services officers represent a significant resource to
our veteran community. This significant human resource
represents a highly effective and low-cost solution to the
challenges of service delivery to California's large veterans'
community. Because county veteran services officers are located
in communities statewide, they are often the initial point of
local contact for claimants accessing the federal Veterans
Affairs benefit system. Clients are also referred to county
veteran services officers by federal, state and service
organization personnel in recognition of their accessibility and
acknowledged expertise in the field of veterans' services."
The author notes that the intention of the veterans plate was
AB 1908
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that it would be available to all licensed Californians for
purchase. Since the current design of the plate simply reads
"Veteran" with a red and blue line on the bottom portion of the
plate, he contends it sends the message that only veterans may
purchase and display the plate. This is believed to hamper the
sales goals of the county veteran services officers and
California Department of Veterans Affairs.
Legislative history : The special interest license plate program
for veterans was created by AB 3033 (Conroy), Chapter 1275,
Statutes of 1992.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
(sponsor)
County of San Bernardino (sponsor)
American Legion, Department of California
AMVETS, Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America, CA State Council
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Eric Worthen / V. A. / (916) 319-3550