House Republican Press Release

May 7, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps Hamzy, Burns: Bill Eliminating Fee for Gold Star Families License Plate Gains Final Approval

Bill Sent to Gov. Rell to be Signed into Law

Legislation that will eliminate the $10 fee for the Gold Star Families license plate received final legislative approval from the state Senate Tuesday, state Representatives William A. Hamzy and Ron Burns, who cosponsored the bill, said today.

The bill was sent to Governor Rell to be signed into law.

The Gold Star Family license plate was authorized by the legislature in 2007 for immediate relatives of state residents killed in action while performing active military duty with the U. S. Armed Forces. Current law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to charge a $10 fee to cover the cost of making the plates, the legislators said.

“Families of service men and women who were killed in action and are interested in obtaining the Gold Star Families license plate to honor loved ones who made the supreme sacrifice for their country will be gratified to learn that they will not be charged a $10 fee in addition to the normal registration charge for this special plate,” said Representative Hamzy, R-78^th District. “The state legislature did the right thing by passing this bill. I’m hopeful that Governor Rell will sign it into law within the next few weeks.”

“The Gold Star license plate is a tribute to both our state’s fallen heroes and to their families who share the sacrifices they made,” Representative Burns said. “While a $10 fee may not seem like much, it could discourage some families from requesting this special plate since it adds to the cost of registering a motor vehicle. Only slightly more than 100 of the plates have been issued so far. If this legislation encourages more Gold Star families to ask for the plate, it is well worth the small revenue loss to the state.”

Both the state House and Senate approved the legislation (HB 5044) unanimously.