AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 39-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to blackout number plates.
Senate Bill No. 2133 proposes the creation of a new section to chapter 39-04 of the North Dakota Century Code that allows for the issuance of blackout number plates for certain motor vehicles. These plates will feature a solid black background with white numbers and letters. To obtain these plates, vehicle owners must pay all standard registration fees along with an additional fee of twenty-five dollars per registration period. The bill specifies that blackout number plates can only be issued to owners of passenger vehicles, trucks with a registered gross weight not exceeding twenty thousand pounds, and motorcycles.
If enacted, this bill will modify the existing vehicle registration process in North Dakota by introducing a new option for vehicle owners who wish to have blackout number plates. This change will require updates to the state's vehicle registration system and may affect the revenue generated from vehicle registration fees due to the additional fee for these specialty plates. It also establishes a new aesthetic option for vehicle owners, potentially influencing vehicle personalization trends in the state.
The sentiment surrounding SB2133 appears to be generally positive, as indicated by the voting history, which shows a significant majority in favor of the bill in both the Senate (39-8) and the House (85-8). There have been no recorded votes against the bill in committee discussions, suggesting a lack of significant opposition among legislators.
While the bill has received broad support, there may be some contention regarding the additional fee imposed for the blackout number plates. Some legislators or constituents may argue that the extra cost could be a burden on vehicle owners, particularly in a state where vehicle registration fees are already a financial consideration. However, no specific opposition has been documented in the available discussions or votes.