CHAPTER 105
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version
1
CHAPTER 105
( HB 465 )
AN ACT relating to special military unit license plates.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 186 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
(1) The Transportation Cabinet shall produce special military unit license plates for owners and lessees of
motor vehicles, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles who are associated with the following units of the
United States military:
(a) The V Corps;
(b) The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault);
(c) The 5th Special Forces Group;
(d) The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment;
(e) The United States Army Human Resources Command;
(f) The United States Army Recruiting Command; or
(g) The United States Army Cadet Command.
(2) Each initial and renewal application for a special military unit license plate by a person who meets the
criteria of paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection and each initial application by a person who meets the
criteria of paragraph (c) and (d) of this subsection shall be accompanied by proof as set out in subsection
(3) of this section that the person is associated with one (1) of the military units identified in subsection (1)
of this section in one (1) of the following ways:
(a) A member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the member's spouse, or the member's
dependent child;
(b) A Department of Defense civilian employee assigned to support one (1) of the military units, the
employee's spouse, or the employee's dependent child;
(c) A retired member; or
(d) A veteran who received a discharge under honorable conditions, or the veteran's surviving spouse,
and:
1. Performed one hundred eighty (180) days of active military service;
2. Received an early release due to injury or other medical condition, or at the convenience of the
service;
3. Received a hardship discharge;
4. Was separated or retired due to a disability; or
5. Was determined to have a service-connected disability incurred during the enlistment.
(3) (a) Prior to receiving a special military unit license plate requested under this section, the member shall
present the following as proof of eligibility an original or copy of his or her:
1. Unexpired Veteran Identification Card or Veteran Health Identification Card issued by the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs;
2. DD-2, DD-214, DD-256, or DD-257 form; or
3. Unexpired Geneva Conventions Identification Card issued by the United States Department of
Defense. ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2
(b) A civilian employee of the Department of Defense who meets the criteria for a special military unit
license plate under this section shall be eligible for a special military unit license plate and shall
present as proof of eligibility an original or copy of one (1) of the following:
1. His or her current SF 50 form; or
2. Other Department of Defense documentation showing current employment.
(c) The legally married spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a Department
of Defense employee who meets the criteria for a special military unit license plate under this section
shall be eligible for a special military unit license plate and shall present as proof of eligibility an
original or copy of his or her marriage certificate establishing marriage to the member of the Armed
Forces of the United States or to the Department of Defense employee and an original or copy of one
(1) of the following:
1. His or her unexpired DD-1173 form;
2. Any identification document outlined in paragraph (a) of this subsection issued to his or her
spouse;
3. A current SF 50 form issued to his or her spouse; or
4. Other Department of Defense documentation showing current employment of his or her
spouse.
(d) The dependent child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a Department of
Defense civilian employee who meets the criteria for a special military unit license plate under this
section shall be eligible for a special military unit license plate and shall present as proof of eligibility
establishing that he or she is a dependent child an original or copy of his or her birth certificate or
certificate of adoption, a valid operator's license, and an original or copy of one (1) of the following:
1. Any identification document outlined in paragraph (a) of this subsection issued to his or her
parent;
2. A current SF 50 form issued to his or her parent; or
3. Other Department of Defense documentation showing current employment of his or her
parent.
(4) The member, retired member, civilian employee, spouse, or dependent child may purchase an unlimited
number of special military unit license plates described in subsection (1) of this section annually for
vehicles they own or lease.
Section 2. KRS 186.162 is amended to read as follows:
(1) As used in this section and in KRS 186.043, 186.164, 186.166, 186.1722, and 186.174:
(a) "Special license plate" means a unique license plate issued under this chapter to a group or organization
that readily identifies the operator of the motor vehicle or motorcycle bearing the plate as a member of a
group or organization, or a supporter of the work, goals, or mission of a group or organization. The term
shall not include regular license plates issued under KRS 186.240;
(b) "Street rod" means a modernized private passenger motor vehicle manufactured prior to the year 1949,
or designed or manufactured to resemble a vehicle manufactured prior to 1949;
(c) "SF" means the portion of an initial or renewal fee to obtain a special license plate that is dedicated for
use by the Transportation Cabinet;
(d) "CF" means the county clerk's fee for issuing a motor vehicle registration as established under KRS
186.040(1). If a CF amount is charged for a license plate listed in this section, the applicant for that
plate shall also pay the fees identified in KRS 186.040(6). If a CF amount is not charged, the applicant
shall not be required to pay those fees; and
(e) "EF" means the portion of an initial or renewal fee to obtain a special license plate that is mandated by
this chapter to be dedicated for use by a particular group or organization.
(2) The initial purchase fee and renewal fee for a special license plate created under this chapter shall be as
established in this subsection and includes the name of group or organization and the total initial and renewal
fee required for the plate. The amount in parentheses indicates how the total fee is required to be divided: CHAPTER 105
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version
3
(a) Disabled veterans who receive assistance to purchase a vehicle from the United States Department of
Veterans' Affairs, veterans declared by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to be one
hundred percent (100%) service-connected disabled, and recipients of the Congressional Medal of
Honor:
1. Initial Fee: $0 ($0 SF/$0 CF/$0 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: $0 ($0 SF/$0 CF/$0 EF).
(b) Former prisoners of war and survivors of Pearl Harbor:
1. Initial Fee: $23 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the veterans' program trust fund
established under KRS 40.460).
2. Renewal Fee: $6 ($0 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
(c) Members of the Kentucky National Guard and recipients of the Purple Heart:
1. Initial Fee: $23 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the veterans' program trust fund
established under KRS 40.460).
2. Renewal Fee: $11 ($0 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the veterans' program trust fund
established under KRS 40.460).
(d) Members of the Civil Air Patrol; active, retired, veteran, reserve, or auxiliary members of the United
States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard; Merchant Marines who served between
December 7, 1941, and August 15, 1945; recipients of the Silver Star Medal, the Distinguished Flying
Cross, the Air Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge, or the Bronze Star Medal;
persons who wish to receive Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Fathers, or Gold Star Spouses license plates
beyond the two (2) exempted from fees under KRS 186.041(6); individuals eligible for a special
military service academy license plate under KRS 186.041(8); individuals eligible for a special
military unit license plate under Section 1 of this Act; and disabled veterans who have been declared
to be between fifty percent (50%) and ninety-nine percent (99%) service-connected disabled by the
United States Department of Veterans' Affairs:
1. Initial Fee: $23 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the veterans' program trust fund
established under KRS 40.460).
2. Renewal Fee: $23 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the veterans' program trust fund
established under KRS 40.460).
(e) Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross:
1. Initial Fee: $6 ($0 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: $6 ($0 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
(f) Disabled license plates:
1. Initial Fee: $18 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: $18 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
(g) Historic vehicles:
1. Initial Fee for two plates: $56 ($50 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: Do not renew annually.
(h) Members of Congress:
1. Initial Fee: $43 ($37 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: $23 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the veterans' program trust fund
established under KRS 40.460).
(i) Firefighters:
1. Initial Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the Kentucky Firefighters
Association). ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 4
2. Renewal Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the Kentucky Firefighters
Association).
(j) Emergency management:
1. Initial Fee: $31 ($25 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: $18 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
(k) Fraternal Order of Police:
1. Initial Fee: $41 ($25 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the Kentucky
FOP Death Benefit Fund).
2. Renewal Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the Kentucky
FOP Death Benefit Fund).
(l) Law Enforcement Memorial:
1. Initial Fee: $41 ($25 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the Kentucky Law Enforcement
Memorial Foundation, Inc.).
2. Renewal Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the Kentucky Law Enforcement
Memorial Foundation, Inc.).
(m) Personalized plates:
1. Initial Fee: $43 ($37 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: $43 ($37 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
(n) Street rods:
1. Initial Fee: $43 ($37 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: $18 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
(o) Nature plates:
1. Initial Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to Kentucky Heritage Land
Conservation Fund established under KRS 146.570).
2. Renewal Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to Ken tucky Heritage Land
Conservation Fund established under KRS 146.570).
(p) Amateur radio:
1. Initial Fee: $43 ($37 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: $18 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
(q) Kentucky General Assembly:
1. Initial Fee: $43 ($37 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: $23 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the veterans' program trust fund
established under KRS 40.460).
(r) Kentucky Court of Justice:
1. Initial Fee: $43 ($37 SF/$6 CF/$0 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: $11 ($0 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the veterans' program trust fund
established under KRS 40.460).
(s) Masons:
1. Initial Fee: $41 ($25 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the Masonic Homes of Kentucky).
2. Renewal Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the Masonic Homes of Kentucky).
(t) Collegiate plates: CHAPTER 105
Legislative Research Commission PDF Version
5
1. Initial Fee: $53 ($37 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the general scholarship fund of the
university whose name will be borne on the plate).
2. Renewal Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the general scholarship fund of the
university whose name will be borne on the plate).
(u) Independent Colleges:
1. Initial Fee: $41 ($25 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the Association of Independent
Kentucky Colleges and Universities for distribution to the general scholarship funds of the
Association's members).
2. Renewal Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the Association of Independent
Kentucky Colleges and Universities for distribution to the general scholarship funds of the
Association's members).
(v) Child Victims:
1. Initial Fee: $41 ($25 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the child victims' trust fund
established under KRS 41.400).
2. Renewal Fee: $23 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the child victims' trust fund
established under KRS 41.400).
(w) Kentucky Horse Council:
1. Initial Fee: $41 ($25 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the Kentucky Horse Council).
2. Renewal Fee: $23 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the Kentucky Horse Council).
(x) Ducks Unlimited:
1. Initial Fee: $41 ($25 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to Kentucky Ducks Unlimited).
2. Renewal Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to Kentucky Ducks Unlimited).
(y) Spay neuter:
1. Initial Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the animal control and care fund
established under KRS 258.119).
2. Renewal Fee: $23 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the animal control and care fund
established under KRS 258.119).
(z) Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Fathers, or Gold Star Spouses:
1. Initial Fee: $0 ($0 SF/$0 CF/ $0 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: $0 ($0 SF/$0 CF/ $0 EF).
3. A person may receive a maximum of two (2) plates under this paragraph free of charge and may
purchase additional plates for fees as established in subsection (2)(d) of this section.
(aa) I Support Veterans:
1. Initial Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the Kentucky Department of
Veterans' Affairs).
2. Renewal Fee: $23 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the Kentucky Department of Veterans'
Affairs).
(ab) Gold Star Siblings, Gold Star Sons, or Gold Star Daughters:
1. Initial Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the veterans' program trust fund
established under KRS 40.460).
2. Renewal Fee: $23 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$5 EF to the veterans' program trust fund
established under KRS 40.460).
(ac) POW/MIA Awareness: ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 6
1. Initial Fee: $41 ($25 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the veterans' program trust fund established
under KRS 40.460).
2. Renewal Fee: $28 ($12 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF to the veterans' program trust fund
established under KRS 40.460).
(ad) Special license plates established under KRS 186.164:
1. Initial Fee: $41 ($25 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF).
2. Renewal Fee: $41 ($25 SF/$6 CF/$10 EF).
(3) Any special license plate may be combined with a personalized license plate for a twenty-five dollar ($25)
state fee in addition to all other fees for the particular special license plate established in this section and in
KRS 186.164(3). The twenty-five dollar ($25) fee required under this subsection shall be divided between the
cabinet and the county clerk of the county where the applicant is applying for the license plate with the cabinet
receiving twenty dollars ($20) and the county clerk receiving five dollars ($5).
(4) (a) A sponsoring organization of any special license plate issued under this section or any special license
plate established under the provisions of KRS 186.164 may petition the cabinet for the production of
that special license plate for motorcycles.
(b) Owners and lessees of motorcycles registered under KRS 186.050(2) may be eligible to receive special
license plates approved by the cabinet under paragraph (a) of this subsection. Applicants for a special
license plate for a motorcycle shall be required to pay the fee for a special plate as prescribed in this
section or in KRS 186.164. The fee paid for the special plate for a motorcycle shall be in lieu of the
registration fee required under KRS 186.050(2).
Section 3. KRS 186.166 is amended to read as follows:
(1) The Transportation Cabinet shall, unless directed otherwise by the General Assembly, perpetually produce the
following special license plates: military license plates, military unit license plates, U.S. Congressional license
plates, firefighter license plates, emergency management license plates, Fraternal Order of Police license
plates, Law Enforcement Memorial license plates, street rod license plates, nature license plates, amateur radio
license plates, Kentucky General Assembly license plates, Kentucky Court of Justice license plates, Masonic
Order license plates, collegiate license plates, independent college and university license plates, child victims'
trust fund license plates, Kentucky Horse Council license plates, Ducks Unlimited license plates, Gold Star
Mothers, Fathers, and Spouses license plates, Gold Star Siblings, Sons, and Daughters license plates, Silver
Star Medal license plates, Bronze Star Medal license plates, Air Medal license plates, Distinguished Flying
Cross license plates, Combat Action Badge license plates, Combat Infantry Badge license plates, POW/MIA
Awareness license plates, spay neuter license plates, service academy license plates, and I Support Veterans
license plates.
(2) The design of the plates identified for perpetual production under this section may be revised upon request of a
group or organization requesting a design revision under the provisions of KRS 186.164(15).
(3) (a) The design of a Purple Heart license plate shall not include any representation of the word "Kentucky"
that is a registered trademark or slogan which appears on a general issue license plate.
(b) The design of a Purple Heart license plate shall include a representation of the Purple Heart medal and
the words "Combat Wounded."
Signed by Governor April 8, 2022.