Department of Finance and Administration
Legislative Impact Statement
Bill: HB1485 Amendment Number: H1
Bill Subtitle: TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR NATIONAL
HISTORIC SITES IN ARKANSAS; AND TO CREATE THE LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE.
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Basic Change :
Sponsors: Reps. Ennett, F. Allen, and McCullough; Sen. C. Tucker
House Amendment No. 1 --- HB1485-H1 (engrossed H3/6/23) specifies that the requirement to repeal
or discontinue a special license plate in order to create a new one shall not apply to the creation and
issuance of a special license plate for an area of historical significance located in Arkansas that is
officially designated by the United States Congress as a "National Historic Site," including the Little
Rock Central High School National Historic Site in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Original Bill --- HB1485 amends the Special License Plate Act, Acts 2005, No. 2202, to allow a new
special license plate to be created for "an officially recognized area of national historic significance
located in Arkansas." Under § 27-24-111, no new type of special license plate may be created under
Title 27, Chapter 24 unless an existing type of special license plate is repealed. HB1485 amends §
27-24-111 to add an exception for the creation and issuance of a special license plate for an officially
recognized area of national historic significance, such as:
Fort Smith National Historic Site,
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site,
President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site,
Arkansas Post National Memorial,
Hot Springs National Park,
Pea Ridge National Military Park, and
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.
Additionally, HB1485 creates a special license plate for the Little Rock Central High National Historic
Site with the proceeds to benefit The Tiger Foundation. The plate will be designed by the Department
of Finance and Administration (DFA) in consultation with The Tiger Foundation. Fees for issuance and
renewal of the special license plate are the regular registration fee, a $25.00 design-use contribution
fee to be remitted monthly to The Tiger Foundation, and a $10.00 administrative fee to be deposited to
the State Central Services Fund for the benefit of the Revenue Division of DFA.
Revenue Impact :
Unknown.
Taxpayer Impact :
A vehicle owner may purchase a special plate to support the Tiger Foundation and Little Rock Central
High School National Historic Site.
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3/15/2023 7:17 PM 1
Department of Finance and Administration
Legislative Impact Statement
Bill: HB1485 Amendment Number: H1
Bill Subtitle: TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR NATIONAL
HISTORIC SITES IN ARKANSAS; AND TO CREATE THE LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE.
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Resources Required :
The Arkansas Integrated Revenue System (AIRS) will need to be modified with a project cost of
$8,000. A supply of the special plates must be acquired and maintained. Computer programming will
be necessary for new use type and use code for plate issuance. Plates will need to be disbursed to
134 State Revenue Offices and inventoried in each location.
Time Required :
An implementation date of January 1, 2024 is requested.
Procedural Changes :
Program the motor vehicle computer system for issuance of the new plate and revise the Motor Vehicle
Procedures Manual, DFA website, and distribute plates to Revenue Offices.
Other Comments :
None.
Legal Analysis :
HB1485 is contrary to the Special License Plate Act of 2005. Acts 2005, No. 2202, was enacted to
reach a settlement agreement over the free speech challenges to the previous special license plate
process including the limit on the number of special license plate designs available. Under §
27-24-111, no new type of special license plate may be created under Title 27, Chapter 24 unless an
existing type of special license plate is repealed.
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Statutes affected: Old version HB1485 Original - 2-22-2023 01:56 PM: 27-24-111(b)
Old version HB1485 V2 - 3-6-2023 09:28 AM: 27-24-111(b)
HB 1485: 27-24-111(b)
Act 808: 27-24-111(b)