Substitute House Bill No. 5074 seeks to honor Connecticut women veterans by establishing a special motor vehicle number plate dedicated to their service. The bill amends Section 14-20b of the general statutes, empowering the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to register vehicles owned or leased by women veterans or women members of the armed forces. This includes the issuance of a special certificate of registration and a set of number plates, which will also be available for vehicles used exclusively for farming by eligible women veterans engaged in agricultural production. The bill clarifies that the issuance of these plates does not serve as proof of eligibility for other veteran benefits and removes the phrase "as applicable" from the verification process for veterans and members of the armed forces.

In addition to the new provisions, the bill makes various technical changes to current law, including a clearer definition of a veteran, encompassing those honorably discharged or released under specific conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder or military sexual trauma. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and is anticipated to have a minimal fiscal impact on the Department of Motor Vehicles due to the associated costs and fee revenue from the new plates. Overall, this legislation is part of a broader initiative to recognize and support veterans, aligning with other related bills that address commemorative license plates and fee reductions for military-related registrations.

Statutes affected:
VA Joint Favorable Substitute: 14-20b
File No. 223: 14-20b