I don't often provide objective commentary, but here is some opinion and background on SC DMV changing specialty plates to a "standard design"
A legislative bill came up in 2012 to set a
standard design for all non-standard plates. I caught that that bill was
coming, so I emailed every organizational coordinator I could find an
email address for - about 40 in all. Only 4 responded, with the Morris
Island Lighthouse and SC Junior Golf Association being the most vocal.
Both of those enlisted lobbyists to speak to legislators to ax the bill.
They were successful in 2012. In 2013, it resurfaced, so I sent out a
similar email, and again, we thought the bill was defeated (also in the
bill was a provision that a Legislative Committee would set the fees for
all specialty plates - you know what that means). On the last day of
the 2013 session, the 'standard design' bill was attached to the bill
that created Autism Awareness and a few other plates. It passed quickly
within a few hours.
Lobbyists communicated back to
organizations that their current design was 'safe' - I heard that from
SCV, Parrothead and Morris Island Lighthouse. The law as written says
any new plate type, or any type that changes class designation - I read
through "class designation" as anytime DMV feels like it. Legislators
will tell you that Law Enforcement was behind getting a standard plate
type for legibility and identification. The underlying reason has to do
with the Director of DMV who is an Army retiree and believes in strict
social conformity. I believe that is why Red, White and Blue will be the
base colors of the standard design - regardless of any organizations
colors (imagine Clemson orange combined with red/blue bands, or
Parrothead yellow with red and blue). Anyway, a source
within DMV has told me that the rumor was that all plate types will
transition over the next few years, starting next year. I don't know if
there will be any logical order, but I suspect that (like Limestone
College) it will be sudden and without warning. New types after May 1,
2014 will be standard-design. I'm disappointed that Peach Council, Don't
Tread On Me, Riverkeepers, SC Aquarium, among others will not have the
opportunity for some colorful designs - if the organization even cares
to proceed with producing a plate. For the future, I expect
some backlash from organizations that were told their designs were safe
- especially if it cuts their revenue stream. I suggested to them to
have their lobbyists to try to forge a compromise like North Carolina's
white bubble around the plate number. I expect the DMV
Commissioner to be around through Gov. Haley's 2nd term (through 2018).
With him gone, and a more understanding Commissioner, and some lobbying
to the Legislature, maybe a push to reverse 'standard-design' may happen
in 5 years. Stay tuned. |
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