Saipan Tribune

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Lower fee for veteran license plate proposed

Rep. Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero (IR-Saipan), along with seven other House members, pre-filed Monday a bill seeking to reduce the U.S. military veteran vehicle license plate fee. It also seeks to waive the fee charged for the issuance of a veteran license plate to a veteran with permanent and total disability.

House Bill 18-11 amends Public Law 14-16 or the Veteran's License Plate Act of 2004.

“.the sacrifices these selfless and valiant men and women made in leaving their families to face adversities in foreign lands such as Korea, Vietnam, Kosovo, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, and Iraq merits recognition and a meaningful way to show our gratitude is by lowering license plate fees for veterans,” said Deleon Guerrero, a veteran, in his bill.

To avail of the proposed discounted rate, which should be 25 percent less than the fee charged for a similar license plate for the same class of vehicle, one must have at least served 160 consecutive active service days and were honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.

The proposed “zero” veteran license fee is for veterans rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at a 100 percent permanent and total disability.

“Other states and territories have provided such benefits to its veterans and it is time that the Commonwealth also remembers the contributions and the sacrifices made by the sons and daughters of the Commonwealth that have led to the freedom we enjoy today,” the bills adds.