WEST virginia Legislature

2019 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 2338

By Delegate Howell and Porterfield

[Introduced January 11, 2019; Referred
to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Government Organization]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §17A-3-15a, relating to allowing the owner of an antique military vehicle to display alternate registration insignia that is compatible with the vehicle’s original markings in lieu of a registration plate.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §17A-3-15a, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 3. ORIGINAL AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION; ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF TITLE.

§17A-3-15a. Registration plate exemption for antique military vehicles; alternate insignia.

(a) The division shall exempt an antique military vehicle from the requirement to display a registration plate if the exemption is necessary to maintain the vehicle’s accurate military markings.  The department shall approve an alternative registration insignia for an antique military vehicle that is compatible with the vehicle’s original markings, including, but not limited to, the display of the vehicle’s unique military identification number on the bumper of the vehicle: Provided, That nothing in this section exempts the operator of an antique military vehicle from the requirements set forth in §17A-3-13 of this code.

(b) For the purposes of this section, “antique military vehicle” means a vehicle, including a trailer, regardless of the vehicle's size or weight, that meets the following criteria:

(1) Is at least 25 years old;

(2) Was manufactured for use in any country's military forces; and

(3) Is maintained to represent its military design and markings accurately.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to allow owners of antique military vehicles to display alternate registration insignia that is compatible with the vehicle’s original markings in lieu of a registration plate.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.