Resolve, To Create a License Plate To Recognize the
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0925
Sponsors: CARLOW, BENNETT

Legislative Document
No. 925
H.P. 590
House of Representatives, March 11, 2025
Resolve, To Create a License Plate To Recognize the 
Semiquincentennial of the United States of America
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Clerk of the House on March 5, 2025.  Referred to the Committee on 
Transportation pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative CARLOW of Buxton.
Cosponsored by Senator BENNETT of Oxford and
Representatives: SARGENT of York, SAYRE of Kennebunk, Senator: LAWRENCE of York.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this legislation must take effect before the end of the 90-day period to allow 
the Secretary of State to timely make preparations for the United States of America 
Semiquincentennial commemorative plate; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it
Sec. 1.  United States of America Semiquincentennial commemorative 
plate. Resolved: That the Secretary of State shall issue, at no cost to the Secretary of 
State, a reflectorized, commemorative simulated registration plate in recognition and 
celebration of the semiquincentennial of the United States of America, which was founded 
July 4, 1776. The Secretary of State shall design the plate, and the plate must bear the date 
of its expiration, which is December 31, 2026. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 29-A, section 454, the United States of America semiquincentennial 
commemorative plate may be displayed by covering, but not removing, the front 
registration plate on a motor vehicle, including a motor vehicle registered outside this State 
and operated within it, from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. The plate may not be 
displayed on a truck tractor as defined in Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 90; and be it 
further
Sec. 2.  Administrative fee; distribution. Resolved: That the Secretary of State 
shall develop a plan for the sale and distribution of the United States of America 
Semiquincentennial commemorative plates. The fee for the semiquincentennial 
commemorative plate is $25, which must be credited as follows:
1. Nine dollars per plate to the Secretary of State for the costs associated with the 
production and issuance of the plates; and
2. Sixteen dollars per plate to the Maine State Cultural Affairs Council established 
under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 7-A; and be it 
further
Sec. 3.  Other uses prohibited. Resolved: That the United States of America 
Semiquincentennial commemorative plate may not be sold or displayed on a motor vehicle 
except as provided in this resolve.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve creates a commemorative simulated motor vehicle registration plate in 
celebration of the United States of America Semiquincentennial. The Secretary of State is 
directed to design and issue the plate, which may be displayed from January 1, 2026 to 
December 31, 2026 covering the front registration plate on a motor vehicle. Revenue 
generated by the sale of the plate in excess of the cost of production and issuance will be 
given to the Maine State Cultural Affairs Council.