03037 License plates 1-11-17 ddt
The House has rejected a measure to allow cars and trucks to only have one license plate, instead of two.
Supporters had argued it would save money. They also said 19 other states only require a rear plate. Opponents argue law enforcement wants two plates to make it easier to identify the owners – and they say it may increase costs for petroleum marketers, who will have to add a number of surveillance cameras to detect drive-offs. Supporters of the measure, however, reject those arguments.
"The marketers want two license plates to reduce the cost of protecting their own assets," said Rep. Mark Owens (R-Grand Forks), the bill's main sponsor. "Law enforcment wants the two plates for convenience. The suppliers of license plate materials want two plates to maintain their bottom line in North Dakota. This is truly a case of the tail wagging the dog."
Owens told his House colleagues the bill would save vehicle owners money, because they would no longer need a front license plate holder.
"Those area dd-ons for a number of cars," Ownes said. "This reduces the need to deface their vehicles by having them installed."
Rep. David Monson (R-Osnabrock) said he thinks the main reason the bill was introduced is for those with sports cars.
"They say, 'I don't want to ruin the look of my car,'" Monson said. "That's vanity."
Rep. Chuck Damschen (R-Hampden) said he had been a co-sponsor, but arguments from law enforcement made him change his mind.
"I never realized how many crimes involve license plates," Damschen said. "It seems having one license plate is detrimental to law enforcement, giving them half a pair of handcuffs."
The bill failed 57-34.
