H.B. 374                                                 VETOES

License tags are used to establish registration and ownership of a motor vehicle and,
perhaps more importantly, to facilitate law-enforcement operations by allowing quick
identification of a suspect vehicle. Given the already limited space available on the tag
itself, I fear that special registration tags on motorcycles would make it even more
difficult for law-enforcement personnel to establish a positive identification at a distance.

Furthermore, I believe that these special registration plates could ultimately jeopardize
highway safety. Tailgating would be inadvertently encouraged as needless attention would
be focused on the plate's small design or slogan rather than on the cyclist's actions. The
increased accident potential that results counters the spirit of my 1992 mandatory
motorcycle helmet law, which was enacted to protect the safety of motorcyclists
throughout the State.

Sincerely,

William Donald Schaefer

Governor

House Bill No. 374

AN ACT concerning

Motorcycles - Special Registration Plate for Members of Motorcyclist Organizations

FOR the purpose of authorizing the owner of a motorcycle who is a member of certain
motorcyclist organizations to apply to the Motor Vehicle Administration for the
issuance of a special registration number for the motorcycle under certain
circumstances; providing for the effective date of this Act; and generally relating to
the issuance of a special registration number for a motorcycle owned by a member
of certain motorcyclist organizations.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Transportation
Section 13-619
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1992 Replacement Volume and 1993 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Transportation

13-619.

(a) The owner of a motor vehicle, or a lessee of the vehicle under a lease not
intended as security, or a director, officer employee, or partner of a business entity that
owns the vehicle who is a member of an organization considered eligible by the
Administration may apply to the Administration for the assignment of a special
registration number if the vehicle is included in one of the following classes:

(1) A Class A (passenger) vehicle;

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