Bill to allow 8-character CA license plates dies, would have honored LaMalfa
A bill championed by the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa to raise money for rural programs by allowing motorists to use eight characters on personalized license plates — and raised money for rural programs — died Thursday in the Legislature, despite a last-minute push by Republicans to pass it in his honor.
The measure failed to advance out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s suspense file, effectively ending it for the current legislative session.
The bill, introduced last year by Assemblymember James Gallagher, R-Yuba City, was a longtime priority of LaMalfa, who argued it would be popular with motorists and generate new revenue for rural causes, including agricultural land preservation.
But the proposal had stalled repeatedly over the years. On Thursday, lawmakers declined to move it forward amid concerns over cost.
The bill would have allowed motorists willing to pay an additional $48 to use eight-letter words on vanity plates. State analysts warned the change could require millions of dollars in one-time costs for the Department of Motor Vehicles to update its databases and redesign forms to accommodate the extra character.
Gallagher, who is running to replace LaMalfa in Congress, presented the bill to the committee, calling it one of LaMalfa’s “unique ideas.” LaMalfa, 65, died earlier this month during emergency surgery at a Chico hospital.
Before his election to Congress in 2012, LaMalfa served eight years in the Legislature — six in the Assembly and two in the Senate.
The congressional district he represented has since been redrawn as part of a nationwide redistricting fight, as Democrats and Republicans seek to improve their odds of gaining a House majority in November’s midterm elections.
“Two weeks ago, we lost our congressman in the north state,” Gallagher told the committee. “He was a huge champion of rural issues, a mentor to me and an inspiration to many of us. And I certainly wouldn’t be here without him.”
Despite its repeated failures, Gallagher said the license plate proposal would have generated new state revenue, pointing to the popularity of personalized plates and the appeal of longer names.
“You can get Mustang, but you can’t get Chevelle,” he said, referring to a model discontinued by Chevrolet in 1977 that fans have speculated would soon return. Its name has eight characters.
A memorial service for LaMalfa has been set for noon Jan. 24 at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico. Tickets are required for entry.
