Veterans' Affairs Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6481
AN ACT CONCERNING SPECIAL REGISTRATION MARKER PLATES FOR
VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO SERVED IN
Title: PERIODS OF WAR.
Vote Date: 3/18/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference to Transportation
PH Date: 2/23/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Veterans' Affairs Committee
Rep. Dorinda Borer, 115th Dist
REASONS FOR BILL:
The bill was raised in order to allow veterans who have served in a period of war and
received a combat service ribbon and medal to have special registration marker plates for
their vehicles. These plates allow veterans to proudly display their service and for others to
be able to readily identify them as a veteran by their license plate.
***Proposed Substitute Language: In line 5, the words "38 USC 101" were replaced with
"section 27-103 of the general statutes" because section 27-103 of the general statues
recognizes several conflicts distinct from federal law for the purpose of determining eligibility
based on service in time of war. In line 24, the word "such" was replaced with "a specific"
because in order to be eligible the conflict must have taken place during a specific time
frame.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Commissioner Thomas Saadi, Department of Veterans Affairs: Commissioner Saadi testified
at the public hearing, as well as submitting written testimony. He stated that the license plates
required by this legislation would be in addition to the current Connecticut Veterans marker
plates and twelve other specialized Veteran's vehicle marker plates. He suggested substitute
language, as the reference to 38 U.S.C. 101 does not cover multiple distinct periods of
wartime. Commission Saadi stated that the DVA could serve as the certifier of eligibility for
non-organization issued Veteran marker plates in addition to the Veterans designation on
drivers licenses and ID cards, as long as DVA staff could access necessary DMV internal
portals to input the eligibility determination, placing no additional paperwork burden on staff.
Commissioner Sibongile Magubane, Department of Motor Vehicles: Commissioner
Magubane submitted written testimony stating that the DMV currently offers a Veteran Flag
plate to active-duty service members, honorably discharged veterans, and surviving spouses.
In addition, other military and veteran plates are issued in coordination with sponsoring
organizations (i.e., Gold Star Family, Iwo Jima). Commissioner Magubane stated that she is
concerned that this bill could result in multiple designs and configurations, leading to costly
system changes due to the challenging logistics of design and administration.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Rep. Dorinda Borer, 115th Dist: Representative Borer submitted written testimony in support
of this legislation, which she had introduced in the previous legislative session. She added
that prior to supporting this legislation she discussed the process of veterans acquiring a
license plate with the DMV, DOC, and Veterans' organizations so that the process would be
smooth for veterans who request these license plates and they would be able to proudly
display their service on their vehicle.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None Expressed.
Reported by: Edward Jacome, Assistant Clerk Date: 03/22/21
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