AB 49

Under current law, members of authorized special groups may obtain special

distinguishing registration plates for automobiles and certain other vehicles

(automobiles) that are owned or leased by members of these groups. There are more

than 50 variations of automobile special plates related to military service, military

honors, and groups associated with a branch of the armed services, including special

plates for U.S. army veterans, U.S. air force veterans, World War II veterans, Korean

War veterans, Persian Gulf War veterans, ex-prisoners of war, persons awarded a

congressional medal of honor, persons awarded the silver star medal, and persons

awarded the purple heart medal. The only special plate available for motorcycles is

a special plate identifying the owner or lessee of the motorcycle as a veteran of the

U.S. armed forces.

Under this bill, if an applicant for a veteran's special plate for a motorcycle

identifies himself or herself as a member of an authorized special group, or as eligible

for an automobile special plate, that is military in nature, the Department of

Transportation (DOT) must provide to the applicant, to be affixed to the motorcycle

special plate, a registration decal or tag that includes certain information that

appears on the automobile special plates that are military in nature, such as the

words "Korean War veteran," "medal of honor," and "ex-prisoner of war."

Under current law, if a member of an authorized special group for which

automobile special plates are available submits certain proof that he or she has been

awarded a congressional medal for service in the armed forces, DOT must issue to

the person a decal, similar in appearance to the medal awarded, to be displayed on

the rear registration plate of the person's vehicle. This bill requires DOT to also

issue, under the same conditions, decals for display on veterans' special plates for

motorcycles.