PART II-A.  MILITARY HONOR LICENSE PLATES FOR VETERANS

AND MILITARY PERSONNEL

§490.1.  Military honor plates for veterans and other military personnel

A.(1)  The legislature finds that military service is absolutely essential to the protection of the way of life and form of government enjoyed by the citizens of this state and country.  Indeed without the risks and sacrifice of the men and women who serve and have served our country in uniform, the liberties and democracy exercised in this state and country would not exist.

(2)  The legislature further finds that the state has an obligation to express its gratitude and debt to its veterans and military personnel.  For decades the state has used motor vehicle license plates to express this governmental gratitude and debt.  Through the issuance of official military honor license plates, the state honors those who have, in many cases, placed themselves in harm's way in order to protect our freedom and our way of life.  Furthermore, honoring those who have served raises public awareness of such service.  This awareness in turn serves to aid in recruitment of young people to military service.

(3)  The legislature further finds that these plates are unique and distinct from prestige plates, are issued to an easily identified class of individuals, are often issued and renewed without additional fees, do not require a minimum number of applicants, and are not used to raise funds for institutions or organizations.

B.  The legislature concludes from these findings that the state has a legitimate governmental interest in the issuance of military honor license plates to military personnel and veterans as a way to both honor veterans and to raise public awareness of their service.  The legislature further concludes that these plates are issued in accordance with a "narrow, objective, and definitive standard" as is recommended by the Henderson vs. Stalder, 265 F.Supp.2d 699 (E.D. La., 2003) decision.

Acts 2005, No. 365, §1, eff. June 30, 2005.