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, allowing the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to issue a special certificate of registration and a set of number plates to any woman veteran or woman member of the armed forces who owns or leases a vehicle for at least one year, including those used exclusively for farming purposes. The bill also introduces a fee structure for the issuance and replacement of these plates to cover production costs.

In addition to recognizing women veterans, the bill modifies existing provisions for the registration of vehicles for members of the Hmong Laotian special guerilla units and eligible former reservists, enabling them to receive similar commemorative plates. The language clarifies the verification process for these individuals and makes technical changes for consistency in legal drafting. Importantly, the bill does not delete any existing legal language but adds new provisions to enhance recognition for women veterans. 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, depending on the demand for the plates.

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