New Tag Tax Would Create OK Tourism Tag, Replace All Tags Statewide
Bill for $5 car registration fee, GRDA measure aim to cut budget shortfall
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY — Lawmakers struggling with a $1.3 billion shortfall unveiled a series of budget-related bills on Wednesday, one of which would impose a one-time $5 vehicle registration fee.
The fee is expected to generate $20.5 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1, of which $5.5 million would be spent to design and issue new state license plates. The legislation,House Bill 3208, would require replacement of every license plate in the state over a one-year period beginning Jan. 1.
The new plates are being touted as a safety measure. The state hasn’t had a general reissue in seven years, and proponents of HB 3208 say older plates are becoming hard to read at night and, perhaps more to the point, by the automated scanners coming into use for everything from turnpike tolls to insurance verification.
The fee would be in force from July 1 until June 30, 2017.