Assembly Bill 610 - Expediting Specialty License Plate Programs - Passes With a 65-7 Vote

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The California State Assembly passed AB 610 – Expediting Specialty License Plate Programs.  The bill, introduced by Assembly Member Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana), reduces the number of "specialized" license plates that must be reserved by vehicle owners from 7,500 to 2,500 in order to qualify to be placed into production by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

"Specialty license plates are a great way for organizations to fundraise and promote their cause," says Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim), the author of AB 610.  "AB 610 will make it easier to start a program by lowering the paid pre-orders necessary for the DMV to start the manufacturing process. I can't wait to receive my Pet Lover's License Plate."

Like most other states, California has a special interest, license-plate program. Under this program, California state agencies, usually on behalf of a nonprofit organization that fulfills an aspect of that agency's mission, can request the DMV to issue license plates with special designs or messages.  The plates are sold to the public at higher prices than ordinary license plates, bringing additional revenue to the DMV, while providing a funding source and generating exposure for the state-agency sponsored nonprofit organization.

"Other states have as many as 120 specialty plates, raising revenue for many worthy causes," said Judie Mancuso, founder of Social Compassion in Legislation.  "In California we only have 11 specialty plates.  Our present law has chilled new plates and thus preventing much needed revenue from being generated for human services, animal welfare services, state parks and many other important causes."

Since 2006, when changes made to California Vehicle Code law set an extreme threshold for pre-orders and limited the graphics for the creation of a new, special-interest license plate, no new plates have been issued, even with numerous nonprofits currently attempting to create plates.  The DMV issues special-interest license plates only after the collection of 7,500 individual paid license plate pre-orders is complete.  AB 610 will change that.

The passage of AB 610 will expedite the Pet Lover's License Plate, designed by Actor Pierce Brosnan. The Pet Lover's License Plate will help raise awareness about the overwhelming number of homeless and unwanted dogs and cats in California and the importance of spaying and neutering pets to save animal lives. The program will fund spay and neuter surgeries through local animal care and control agency voucher programs and through in-house or local veterinary clinics. Animal lovers and supporters can pre-order the special license plates online at www.PetLoversPlate.org.

About Social Compassion in Legislation: Social Compassion in Legislation is a California 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. The organization focuses on reducing pet overpopulation through legislation.  For more information visit http://www.scil2011.org.

SOURCE Social Compassion in Legislation