Virginia may have first "Vegetarian" specialty license plate/tag in the country.

[flvegan]

Good news for Virginia vegetarian and vegan motorists! Introduction of a "special" license plate for Vegetarians and Vegans is being jointly sponsored by the Richmond Vegetarian Festival (www.veggiefest.org), Vegan Action (www.vegan.org), and the Vegetarian Society of Richmond (www.vegetarianrichmond.org).

Time is getting short, though - we need to have 350 prepaid applications by the end of November 2009 to submit, along with our plate design, to the General Assembly, then to the DMV, for approval. Please don't wait, thinking "I'll get it when it's available at the DMV" - it WON'T be available at the DMV if we don't get enough applications for approval. PLEASE ACT NOW!!

The proposed new plate was designed by Noah Scalin, owner of Another Limited Rebellion (www.alrdesign.com), author of the book "Skulls", and the creative mind behind the whimsical designs for the Richmond Vegetarian Festival logo each year. (A big THANK YOU to Noah!!)

http://www.veggieplates.org/index.html

[LeftyMom]

1. What, is the regular plate printed on a thin sheet of beef jerky?

Oh, it says vegetarian. Never mind. ;)

Does the extra money go to a charity of some sort? Most, if not all of the novelty plates here in CA with extra charges the additional money goes to a charity or special fund of some sort, usually to a specific conservation effort or something. I assume most states tie special plates to funding for a related charity as well? I checked the website and it doesn't say. But the checks go to them and not to the DMV. Weird.

If my state offered one I would consider a vegan plate but not a vegetarian one. Vegetarianism is useless from an animal protection standard and I see no need to promote it as an alternative to omnivorousness.

Wow, custom plates are WAY cheaper in VA than here. Of course we don't have a toll plaza every ten feet, either.

[flvegan]

2. Vegan Action has a campaign in Virginia so I'm sure it's them.

It does promote veganism through vegetarianism, so the Francione-minded won't care for it. I love it. I'd have one of those plates in a second.

[nankerphelge]

3. I wonder how hard it would be...

to do something like this in Florida? I think the Legislature has a lot of say in what ultimately gets approved, but I'd definitely sign up for one.

[nankerphelge]

4. Here's some info on it... looks difficult and may not be possible until 2011

http://www.flhsmv.gov/specialtytags/slp.html

The Law

Section 320.08053, Florida Statutes, outlines the requirements an organization must meet to request a new specialty license plate be created. Section 320.08056, Florida Statutes, provides the responsibilities of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in developing and issuing specialty license plates when legislation authorizes a new specialty license plate to be established.

Back

Application Requirements

With the exception of specialty license plates that were authorized during the 2008 Legislative Session or submitted requirements by a specific date, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may not issue any new specialty license plates pursuant to ss. 320.08056 and 320.08058, Florida Statutes, between July 1, 2008 and July 1, 2011.

Legislation must be enacted to establish a new specialty license plate design. Proposals for specialty license plates may only be considered by the legislature upon compliance with statutory requirements. The Division of Motor Vehicles Procedure RS-20, Creation of A Specialty License Plate, contains the proper requirements that organizations must follow to pursue legislation for specialty license plates. Click here to view DMV Procedure RS-20.

The basic requirements are: The organization must hire an independent survey company to conduct a survey on Florida registered motor vehicle owners, an application fee of $60,000, a long-term and short-term marketing plan, financial analyses and the design of the license plate. The requirements must be submitted to the Department 90-days before the first day of the legislative session.

[flvegan]

5. I worked on the Florida "Animal Friend" tag and the problem

isn't really getting it passed. It's expensive, but not that hard. The problem is getting enough people to buy them. If enough folks don't buy them, the state looks to discontinue them.

Plus, the "organization" has to be above reproach (unless you're some group of bigoted right wingers) or you'll have problems. The original Animal Friend tag was promoted by a group called Florida Voices for Animals, an animal rights group (great bunch of folks from right around here). The vets in the coalition hated them, because they were AR folks who wanted to be really careful about who got funding from the proceeds of the tag (which I certainly respect). The sides split and there was now a race with two tags for the same thing. The vet coalition teamed up with HSUS to get the signatures and the money. The FVA tag lost it's support from Nan Rich and therefore was dead in the water.

I think a Florida "Herbivore" tag would be great (or something like it) with the proceeds going to supply vegan food to food pantry facilities, soup kitchens, etc. Maybe someday.