WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2025 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 464

By Senators Morris, Deeds, Fuller, and Hamilton

[Introduced February 14, 2025; referred
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; and then to the Committee on Finance]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated as §17A-3-14j, relating to the issuance of special plates to recipients of the distinguished Medal of Valor.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

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

§17A-3-14j. Special medal of valor honorary plates.

(a) The division may issue special plates to recipients of the distinguished Medal of Valor  awarded under §29-32-1 to firefighters, law-enforcement officers, and emergency medical services personnel who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty in the performance of their duties. A surviving spouse may continue to use the license plate of his or her deceased spouse that was issued pursuant to this section until the surviving spouse dies, remarries, or does not renew the license plate.

(b) A qualified applicant may obtain a second license plate as described in this section for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the applicant. The division shall charge for the second plate a one-time fee of $10, to be deposited into the State Road Fund, which is in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.

(c) The applicant shall present satisfactory proof as determined by the commissioner as evidence of qualification for any plate authorized in this section.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to authorize the commissioner to issue special plates to recipients of the distinguished Medal of Valor awarded under §29-32-1 of this code to firefighters, law-enforcement officers, and emergency medical services personnel.

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