Plate issue spurs groans

Many legislators have had their fill of special licenses

Groans filled the room and at least two senators got up and left when a discussion of how to approve specialized license plates came before the Legislative Transportation Interim Committee Wednesday. The message was clear: We don't want to deal with this.

When Rep. Michael Morley, R-Spanish Fork, sponsored HB89 last session to allow a pro-adoption "Choose Life" license plate, similar to other special-group plates, he began a constitutional debate no one wanted to have.

The state allows the specialized plates, used by charities, universities and other organizations like the Boy Scouts of America, to raise funds and recognition for the groups.

But a "Choose Life" plate may have led to a lawsuit similar to one in South Carolina in which a similar plate was ruled unconstitutional unless one promoting abortion rights was also approved, said Shannon Halverson, associate general counsel for the committee.

Rep. Rosalind McGee, D-Salt Lake, sponsored a bill to create such a plate, and the Legislature responded by dropping the entire debate.

The issue was brought up again by Morley on Wednesday to discuss the future of specialized license plates.

"Most of us feel like if we'd never got started on this it would be simpler, but the fact is we're there," said Joseph Murray, R-Ogden. "We don't want to get into constitutional issues for something as simple as a license plate."

According to the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, there are too many of the plates, they cause a public safety concern and they raise time-wasting constitutional issues.

"I think we should get rid of them all because I don't think it's fair. It's not the role of government to be a charitable benefactor," said Rebecca Lockhart, R-Provo.

"A complete and utter waste of time," said Rep. John Dougall, R-American Fork.

But not all committee members agree there's a problem because the plates are paid for by the special groups.

"It pays for itself. There's no skin off my nose, let it go forward," said Rep. James Ferrin, R-Orem.

"If these groups don't get money from here, they'll have to get it from somewhere else," said Rep. Don Bush, R-Clearfield.

Approximately 5,725 collegiate plates are paid for every year at $25 a vehicle. A substantial amount of that money goes to the University of Utah Alumni Association for scholarships and other worthwhile causes, said Nancy Lyon, lobbyist for the university.

Besides schools and Boy Scouts, the plates also raise funds for soil and wildlife conservation, veteran associations, animal control programs and other causes.

The only two items committee members could agree on was that fewer special plates should be issued and the Legislature should not have to decide who gets them.

Many, including Morley, suggested the Utah State Tax Commission be responsible. But Rodney Marrelli, executive director of the commission, said it would have no easier time than the committee was having.

"I urge you," he said, "not to pass the buck."

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E-mail: akirk@desnews.com

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