LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) introduced legislation today that will bring back one of Michigan’s most iconic license plate designs — the classic blue plate originally issued from 1983 until 2007.
Senate Bill 1146 would also allow the Secretary of State to bring back the black plate originally issued by the State of Michigan from 1979 to 1983.
“Any Michigander who grew up here in the 80s and 90s remembers the simple, iconic design, and knows bringing back the blue plate is a no-brainer,” said Sen. McMorrow.
Each plate would be available with any automobile registration for an added fee of $100, with revenues going to the state’s transportation fund.
A similar bill was implemented in California in 2014, offering drivers a nostalgic black-and-yellow 1960s-style license plate. It quickly became the most popular specialty plate offered, with well over 100,000 plates registered each year, generating millions of dollars in revenue annually for the state.
“Classic plate designs give Michiganders the ability to celebrate our unparalleled car culture,” said Sen. McMorrow. “Bringing back the blue plate offers a creative way to generate much-needed revenue to help fix the roads without raising taxes.”
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