Senate adopts Transportation Committee report on S.256, orders third reading to expand veteran specialty plates
February 02, 2024 | SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont
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The Vermont Senate adopted the Transportation Committee report on S.256 and ordered the bill to be read a third time, advancing legislation that changes how the state issues veteran specialty license plates.
The bill, described by the senator from Chittenden Southeast, aligns state statute and Department of Motor Vehicles practice with federal law and 38 U.S.C. provisions covering veteran status. The sponsor said the changes would allow the DMV and the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs to jointly determine which specialty veteran plates will be offered and would broaden eligibility to include veterans disabled during active military, naval, air or space service as defined in the cited U.S. code.
"This effectively synchronizes with our federal tonus for what qualifies as a veteran and enables the DMV to have a more dynamic list of eligible veterans plates in concert with our Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs," the sponsor said, urging the body to concur with the committee report. The sponsor also noted the committee pulled related language from S.264 into the subject section to give the DMV greater authority to determine the list of plates.
The sponsor listed witnesses who testified before the Transportation Committee, including Bob Burke, director of the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs; Thea Dexter Cooper, legislative counsel; and Michael Smith, deputy commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles. The sponsor said the committee recommended concurrence.
On the floor, senators indicated their support by voice vote; the clerk announced the committee report was adopted and the Senate ordered S.256 to third reading.
If enacted, the bill would add an explicit legislative intent section to honor veterans and clarify that the DMV and the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs will jointly determine which specialty plates to make available, including plates recognizing combat service and military awards. Sections of the bill apply the same changes across enhanced driver’s licenses, non‑driver identification cards, operator’s licenses and commercial driver’s licenses.
Next steps: S.256 has been ordered to third reading for further consideration by the full Senate.
The bill, described by the senator from Chittenden Southeast, aligns state statute and Department of Motor Vehicles practice with federal law and 38 U.S.C. provisions covering veteran status. The sponsor said the changes would allow the DMV and the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs to jointly determine which specialty veteran plates will be offered and would broaden eligibility to include veterans disabled during active military, naval, air or space service as defined in the cited U.S. code.
"This effectively synchronizes with our federal tonus for what qualifies as a veteran and enables the DMV to have a more dynamic list of eligible veterans plates in concert with our Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs," the sponsor said, urging the body to concur with the committee report. The sponsor also noted the committee pulled related language from S.264 into the subject section to give the DMV greater authority to determine the list of plates.
The sponsor listed witnesses who testified before the Transportation Committee, including Bob Burke, director of the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs; Thea Dexter Cooper, legislative counsel; and Michael Smith, deputy commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles. The sponsor said the committee recommended concurrence.
On the floor, senators indicated their support by voice vote; the clerk announced the committee report was adopted and the Senate ordered S.256 to third reading.
If enacted, the bill would add an explicit legislative intent section to honor veterans and clarify that the DMV and the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs will jointly determine which specialty plates to make available, including plates recognizing combat service and military awards. Sections of the bill apply the same changes across enhanced driver’s licenses, non‑driver identification cards, operator’s licenses and commercial driver’s licenses.
Next steps: S.256 has been ordered to third reading for further consideration by the full Senate.
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