New Jersey has so many great special license plates to honor all sorts of things from the Battleship USS New Jersey, to alumni organizations to even amateur (Ham) radio operators. Of course we have a wide array of military recognition license plates, including one recognizing our veterans, in this great state of ours. Then why is it, despite years of effort, we have not been able to get a veterans license plate for motorcycles approved in the state of New Jersey?
I looked on line and I have found references to a bills calling for this being introduced since 2003. In the March 2003 issue of the American Motorcyclist, a publication of the AMA, it refers to Assembly Bill 3047 in the State Watch section under New Jersey. It says, “The State Division of Motor Vehicles would be able to issue veterans license plates for motorcycles,” and charge a $15 fee. It seems simple enough. Then why do I find Assembly Bill 559 being introduced to the 216th New Jersey Legislature (2014-2015) calling for this very establishment of veteran license plates for motorcycles again?
That one too obviously never saw it through because currently there are two bills, one in the Assembly and one in the Senate, to create a veterans license plate for motorcycles. The Assembly bill is A2729, sponsored by Anthony Bucco and Wayne DeAngelo, and the Senate one is S1750, sponsored by Fred Madden.
Giving our veterans the opportunity to pay a fee to have a special motorcycle plate to identify them as a vet is a no-brainer. So what is standing in the way? There really is no one opposing this or any argument for not having these plates. The issue just doesn’t seem to make it to discussion during any given session of the Legislature. The bills are allowed to die in committee, never seeing the light of day. As of this writing, both current bills have been referred to their respective Transportation Committees but no other action seems to be forthcoming.
Call to Action
If you are a New Jersey resident, go here and find your Assemblyman. Use the links to send him a message and tell him or her that NJ needs to establish a veterans’ motorcycle license plate to be displayed proudly by those who have served this fine nation. When you are done, go here (the same place) and do the same for your state Senator.
Let us send a message to the State of New Jersey that it is time that we offer the men and women who served this country, often at great personal sacrifice, the opportunity to have special plates for their motorcycles. If we can do it for University of Michigan alumni who drive cars, why can’t we do it for veterans who ride motorcycles?
