AN ACT to amend and reenact section 39-04-10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to special plates for amateur radio station licenseholders.
Summary
HB 1327 amends North Dakota Century Code section 39-04-10 governing special motor vehicle license plates for amateur radio station licenseholders. The bill allows owners of qualifying registered motor vehicles who hold a valid, unrevoked FCC amateur radio license to obtain special plates displaying their official call letters and the words “AMATEUR RADIO.” Applicants must still comply with ordinary motor vehicle registration requirements and pay the regular license fee.
The bill also clarifies that an applicant may receive up to five plates with the same call letters, with the Department of Transportation required to add an ascending number from 2 through 5 to each additional plate issued to the same person. In effect, the measure preserves and expands the existing amateur radio plate program by expressly authorizing multiple plates for the same licenseholder and standardizing how duplicate plates are numbered.
Impact
HB 1327 makes a targeted change to state vehicle registration law by updating the rules for special amateur radio license plates in section 39-04-10. It affects the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s plate issuance procedures and benefits amateur radio operators who want personalized recognition on multiple vehicles. The bill does not change general registration or licensing requirements, and it does not create a new fee beyond the regular license fee already required under motor vehicle law.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment around HB 1327 appears favorable. It passed the House unanimously, 91-0, indicating broad support in that chamber. The Senate approved it by a narrower margin, 35-12, suggesting some reservations or differing views, but still enough support for enactment. The bill’s final status indicates it was filed with the Secretary of State, reflecting successful passage through the legislative process.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to have been in the Senate, where 12 members voted no despite the bill’s limited scope. Because there were no committee transcripts provided, the specific objections are not documented here, but the split vote suggests some senators may have questioned the need for the change, the expansion to multiple plates, or the administrative details of issuing duplicate plates. Supporters likely viewed it as a low-impact accommodation for amateur radio operators, while opponents may have seen it as unnecessary or too specialized.