Iowa Senate Bill SF47

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/23
• Refer: 1/11/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to Gadsden flag special registration plates.

Impact

The legislation mandates a special fee structure for obtaining Gadsden flag plates. A one-time fee of $35 will be charged for letter-number designated plates, with an additional $25 for personalized designs. Owners will also pay an annual special fee of $10, alongside the regular registration fees. The funds collected are to be deposited into the road use tax fund, which supports state road infrastructure. The bill ensures that Gadsden flag plates do not require a minimum number of orders for issuance, allowing for more consistent availability.

Summary

Senate File 47 introduces special registration plates for the Gadsden flag in Iowa. It allows the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to design and issue these plates, which will feature a black and white image of a rattlesnake coiled on green grass along with the phrase 'Don't Tread on Me'. The new plates are intended to be visually distinct, featuring a yellow-to-white gradient background, black letters and numbers, and specific size requirements for the rattlesnake image. The bill aims to provide a unique registration choice for Iowa vehicle owners who wish to display this symbol.

Contention

Notably, this bill streamlines vehicle registration options by exempting Gadsden flag plates from standard requirements, such as displaying the issuing county's name or conforming to the design of regular plates. This has raised discussions about the implications of introducing uniquely designed plates, focusing on issues like state identity and symbols of political sentiment. Critics may argue that such regulation could lead to controversies over state endorsement of specific political messages displayed on public vehicles.