Plate denial may spur change
Lawmakers might ease restriction keeping name off vanity tags
Dennis Udink wanted to put his last name on his license plate when he bought a new car but was told the "dink" in "Udink" ran afoul of the state's system of checking for vulgarities, profanities and obscenities.
The Carbon County resident complained to state Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, who brought the issue up Wednesday for the Administrative Rules Review Committee.
Both Dmitrich and Udink were told by DMV officials the rule on questionable license plates doesn't allow the state agency any discretion if the request for a personalized plate generates a "hit" on any of the 10 Web sites it uses to check for offensive terms.
Dmitrich, joined by some lawmakers Wednesday, believes if the name is a person's given name at birth, an exception should be made.
"I think equal protection applies," Dmitrich said.
House Majority Leader Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, said the system should be one that uses reasonable thinking-man standards, not the edicts of software programs.
"These are computer programs written with subjective analyses. Culture dictates offensiveness," he said. "Somebody, somewhere has drawn a subjective line."
Udink appealed the rejection of his plate and will have a hearing with the agency later this month, but DMV officials said it is not easy to predict how the commission will handle the matter.
"I can't tell how the commission will rule on this," Lynn Solarczyk, with the state Tax Commission, told legislative members. "But the rule takes the discretion away from the division."
Although legislators directed the agency representatives to approach tax commissioners with the idea of changing the rule to allow more discretion, at least one lawmaker had misgivings.
"I wonder if it is as innocuous as (Dmitrich) says it is," Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, said.
"I wonder if by pushing the commission we won't end up with unintended consequences," with other questionable last names winding up on license plates, Stephenson said.
"I have some sympathy here," he added, but said Udink could easily put his name on a bumper sticker if he really wants it on his car that badly.
"To have a message that is construed by some people as vulgar on a state-sanctioned license plate . . . I am a little leery of pushing the state Tax Commission on this."
E-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com
Comments
- CEU biz team excels at convention 3:35 p.m.
- Shelter works to save pit bulls 3:34 p.m.
- Cashing checks costly for woman 3:33 p.m.
- Blood thinner Effient cleared 3:27 p.m.
- WGU grads are largest-ever class 3:26 p.m.
- Dems: tax the rich for health care 3:24 p.m.
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love' 3:06 p.m.
- Hill Cumorah Pageant 3:04 p.m.
- 2 Tooele police officers fired 2:52 p.m.
- Baseball teams fear 'haunted' hotel 2:51 p.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Letters: Palin mistreated
140 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
137 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
132 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
88 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
82 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - LDS seminary principal arrested
74 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
I blame the girl. Seriously, she is called the "victim" like he was...
To Anonymous, This article has nothing to do with government run health...
Being able write comment posts to a newspaper story, does NOT make you an...
Police have solid evidence as was already reported in this article about...
I didn't ask you for a plan. My point is you don't think we are affecting...
To "Anonymous | 2:20 p.m." they have been the majority since 2006. If they...
RedShirt is usually good for a laugh. It's just that he posts the same...
The church is perfect - the members aren't. This guy made a big mistake...
After reading this I can't say I know the entire story, and I can't say I...
Regardless of what he did.... (if the article is all true) he saved many,...


You can be the first to comment on this story.