If enacted, SB1036 will allow more motorcycle owners, particularly collectors and enthusiasts of vintage models made post-1942, to obtain special plates that signify their vehicles' historic value. The bill also stipulates that the special plates assigned will be in a separate numerical series and that the initial issuance will require a fee of fifteen dollars. The revenues generated from this fee will be deposited into the California Environmental License Plate Fund, which could support environmental initiatives. However, motorcycle owners will still be subject to the usual annual registration fees as all other motorcycles.
Summary
Senate Bill 1036, introduced by Senator Jones, amends Section 5004.5 of the Vehicle Code in California to expand the eligibility criteria for the issuance of special identification plates for motorcycles. Under current law, only motorcycles manufactured in or before the year 1942 are eligible for such special plates. SB1036 proposes to extend this eligibility to motorcycles manufactured after 1942, provided they are at least 25 years old and deemed of historic interest by defined criteria. This change is aimed at acknowledging and preserving a broader category of historic motorcycles.
Contention
The proposed amendment to the Vehicle Code may generate discussions among stakeholders regarding the distinction between what constitutes a 'historic' motorcycle. Some may argue that allowing motorcycles manufactured after 1942 undermines the exclusivity of classic vehicle categories, while others contend that it recognizes the historical significance of a wider array of models. Additionally, the bill's implications for the funding of the Environmental License Plate Fund might also raise considerations among environmental advocates and motorcycle enthusiasts alike as they assess the balance between promoting vehicle preservation and environmental stewardship.