House Republican Press Release

April 28, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Harkins Votes in Favor of Gold Star Plate Bill

HARTFORD- State Representative John Harkins (R-Stratford) today voted in favor of legislation that eliminates the fee for the Gold Star Family license plate, which the legislature authorized in 2007 for immediate relatives of state residents killed in action while performing active military duty with the U. S. Armed Forces.

Harkins noted that current law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to charge a fee to cover the cost of making the plates, in addition to the normal registration fee. The current plate fee is $ 10.

“This bill doesn’t do anything to relieve the sadness and grief that comes with losing a loved one in service to the nation,” said Harkins.  “But what it does do is extend the respect of the state to those families that a member of our armed forces killed in action leave behind.”

It is estimated that the measure would have a fiscal impact of less than $1,000.

The bill, HB 5044, had passed the Transportation and Veterans’ Affairs Committees unanimously and also passed the House this afternoon 134-0.  It now heads to the State Senate for action there.

The 2008 session of the Connecticut General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn at midnight on Wednesday, May 7^th.