Portantino Wins State Approval for Ending Special Perk on Vanity License Plates for Lawmakers

The California Assembly unanimously approved a bill Friday by Assembly member Anthony Portantino, requiring lawmakers who have vanity plates identifying them as legislators on their personal cars to pay the same fees required of the general public.

The state Assembly approved the bill, AB 2068, 63 to 0, according to an e-mail communiqué from Portantino’s office. 

“I am very pleased that the Assembly saw the merit to bringing equity and fairness to this issue,” the e-mail quoted Portantino as saying. “Even veterans pay the state an annual fee. Not California legislators. Current and retired legislators get their personalized license plates almost for free. “

Under current law, both serving and retired Assembly members as well as State senators can obtain license plates from the DMV that designate their official status. There’s just a one-time $12 fee for such plates, which are not required to be renewed every year, according to Portantino’s office. Average state residents by contrast, including retired police and fire officials, pay $49 to $98 for a special plate and $38 to $78 for annual renewals. The DMV estimates it has issued nearly 700 California legislator license plates over the years, of which 116 are currently in use.

“At a time of economic belt-tightening, when you have student fees rising and classrooms bulging, when you have padlocked parks and cuts everywhere, why should legislators get a special break—even a small one?” said Portantino, who does not use an Assembly license plate and has no plans to receive one when he retires in November.