Special license plates generate millions in revenue for good causes in Nevada

CARSON CITY — Fans of Red Rock, Mount Charleston or cycling — or any of two dozen other causes — can proclaim their support with a special license plate.

It's the gift that keeps on giving to organizations benefiting Nevada in ways as varied as spaying and neutering pets, promoting terrorism readiness and supporting Boulder City tourism.

Most plates cost between $50 and $60 initially and $15 to $25 a year after that. Personalized specialty plates cost more.

Those fees can add up to some impressive numbers.

More than 50 different special plates have been produced since 1998, and through 2015 they have generated nearly $50 million in revenue. The cause usually gets half to two-thirds of the money, with the rest going to the Department of Motor Vehicles to cover the cost of making the plates.

The Las Vegas Centennial plate, first made available in 2005 to support historic preservation, is by far the most popular. More than 88,000 people have paid more than $18 million in registration fees for it alone.

The money raised from the Las Vegas plates has been directed by the Las Vegas Centennial Commission to a number of projects, including seismic retrofitting, buying artifacts for the Mob Museum, relocating the shell-shaped LaConcha Motel entrance to the Neon Boneyard and maintaining historical buildings at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs.

Las Vegas city spokesman Jace Radke said the popularity of the plate stems largely from its use of the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.

"The Centennial Commission and the city has been able to put these funds to good use to preserve some of the city's past and create history-based attractions that have been very successful," Radke said.

More plates coming

Several new tags are on the way, possibly including a controversial anti-abortion "Values Life" plate. It's currently under legal review by the DMV over concerns that it promotes a specific religious belief.

Other plates recently approved by a panel of lawmakers include ones for Nevada Bighorns Unlimited and the Great Reno Balloon Race, but it will take some time to finalize those designs and offer them to the public.

Also in the pipeline are plates approved by the Legislature this year, one recognizing the Second Amendment and another for those who have earned the highest honors in scouting: the Gold Award for Girl Scouts and the Eagle Scout rank for Boy Scouts.

Some plates have been discontinued because of lack of interest, including Ducks Unlimited and Las Vegas Springs, although original owners can continue to use their plates indefinitely.

Others remain hugely popular.

One of the first and most popular special plates helps protect Lake Tahoe. There are more than 17,000 of the Tahoe plates, which have generated $6.5 million over the past 17 years to keep the famed lake's waters blue.

The anti-terrorism United We Stand plates have 17,000 owners who have generated nearly $3.9 million for preparedness efforts.

And 38,000 of the special plates for veterans have generated more than $5 million in revenues.

Nevada officials paid for some of the cost of the 150th anniversary celebration last year with specialty plates honoring the sesquicentennial. They're still available.

Abortion debate

The plates always seem to be a hot topic in the Nevada Legislature. But they have not proved controversial until this year, with the recent approval of the Nevada "Values Life" plate.

A panel of lawmakers serving as the Commission on Special License Plates approved the plate in late October. The vote was 3-1, with the lone Democrat, Assemblyman Richard Carrillo, opposed.

But the panel's legal counsel warned the plate could be subject to litigation from Planned Parenthood.

The plate is being sought by the Women's Resource Medical Centers of Southern Nevada, which CEO Esther Caruso-Golleher said has spent the past 30 years in its mission to save the lives of unborn children by sharing the love of Jesus Christ. Some proceeds from the special plate would go to support the group's work.

At issue is state law that says specialty plates may not promote any specific religion, faith or anti-religious belief.

The commission's legal counsel advised lawmakers the plate does not violate that provision, but DMV officials are also reviewing the legality of the tag.

Only 30 different charitable plates can be made available at anytime, so new plates subject to this limit won't become available until an existing tag is retired. Some of the new plates are not subject to this cap, however, and should become available next year.

A list of available specialty plates can be found at: dmvnv.com/platescharitable.htm

— Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Follow him: @seanw801

Firearms Coalition seeks support for Second Amendment plate

CARSON CITY — Nevadans interested in obtaining a new special license plate honoring the Second Amendment can participate in a contest to pick the design they would like to see offered through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

"A personalized license plate is a perfect way for Nevadans to show their support for the Second Amendment," said Don Turner, president of the Nevada Firearms Coalition. "You know I'll be first in line at the DMV the day the winning design gets released!"

Interested motorists can go to nvfac.org/LicensePlates to vote for their favorite design. The winning design will be presented to the DMV for creation.

The process to create a license plate with the Nevada DMV requires a $5,000 grant, so the Nevada Firearms Coalition is also asking for donations from contest voters.

One option is a pistol imposed over the "Battle Born" symbol, a second is the outline of a person on horseback with a pistol and the other two include images of early American soldiers with rifles.

Turner said that if participants donate what they can when picking their favorite design, the development of the plate can continue.