Panel would scuttle specialty plates

INDIANAPOLIS | The diversity of Indiana's license plates may soon end after a House committee on Wednesday voted 8-2 to reorganize the state's specialty license plate program.

Senate Bill 327 was amended by the transportation committee to eliminate most nonprofit group license plates, unless the plate is re-approved by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

Production of specialty plates established in 2011 or any plate purchased by fewer than 1,000 Hoosiers last year would be stopped immediately. That includes license plates recognizing the National Rifle Association, Indiana Patriot Guard, Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics and others.

More popular specialty plates would expire Dec. 31, 2013.

Groups would have to win passage of a state law to re-establish their license plate. They'd also be required to submit three years of financial records, show statewide support for their group and could not support ideas that violate "accepted ethical standards or societal behavioral standards."

"Our intent is to bring accountability and transparency to a system where the state is collecting money for another entity," said state Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso.

Currently, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles approves group license plates and collects a $25 annual fee that's forwarded to the group sponsoring the plate.

State Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, said putting the Legislature in charge of approving plates will unnecessarily politicize the process and be used by lawmakers to attack groups they don't like.

Soliday denied politics is behind his effort to redo the group plate program.

Other House Republicans have sought to eliminate a specialty plate sponsored by Indiana Youth Group, a support group for gay youth.

The amended legislation must still be approved by the full House and voted on again by the Senate before it can go to the governor.