Stepping up to the plates

Friday, Aug. 1, 1997 | 11:47 a.m.

They can proudly tout their Nevada heritage with a 125th anniversary of statehood plate, available for a limited time several years ago. Or they can boast they hold an amateur radio license.

Lawmakers in recent years have approved a variety of special plates, and 1997 was no different.

Soon Nevada drivers will be able to sport plates demonstrating their support for organ donations or Lake Tahoe, or vaunt their membership in the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.

Critics of the lengthy and costly legislative process question whether lawmakers should spend time deliberating on bills promoting special causes through new license plate designs.

But Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning - who succeeded in winning approval in 1995 for an arts education plate, and who reviewed the special plate requests as chairwoman of the Transportation Committee in the recently concluded session - said the measures are worthwhile.

"This is one of my favorite types of legislation," said Chowning, D-North Las Vegas. "It's a way to raise money for a cause without asking taxpayers to dip into their pockets for a single penny. It simply allows people to choose to spend their money."

Special plates require payment of an extra fee, typically $35, to the motor vehicles agency, plus a separate charge of $20 or $25 for the special cause if the intent is to raise money.

The new plates are not automatically issued. Supporters must generate 250 requests before those plates can be manufactured to ensure that production costs are covered.

The plates are made by an inmate crew at the Nevada State Prison in Carson City.

Chowning says her special plate for arts education is close to becoming a reality, with 90 requests filed so far.

Three other plates have apparently not been so desirable and may never be produced. They were intended to raise funds to locate missing or exploited children and for veterans cemeteries and Drug Abuse Resistance Education programs taught in schools.