(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana lawmakers are looking to tighten restrictions on specialty license plates.

Groups like Habitat for Humanity, Indiana University, the Indianapolis Colts, and others offer the license plates to supporters and fans. The specialty plates program raised little concern.

That is until last year when a gay rights organization, the Indiana Youth Group, also began offering a plate. The plate featuring a hand with a rainbow-colored background rubbed some lawmakers’ bumpers the wrong way.

On Wednesday, a House committee voted 12-0 to place new sales and reporting requirements on the specialty plate program. Under the proposal, groups would have to sell at least 500 of the plates each year in order to avoid being discontinued.

According to the Associated Press, a legislative report shows that 17 of the 92 specialty plates sold during the past two years fell short of selling 500 plates.

The bill would also create an eight-member panel of state lawmakers to review requests from nonprofit groups and universities for specialty plates.

The legislation – originally written by State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Vincennes) and more recently co-authored by State Rep. Jud McMillin (R-Brookville) – now heads to the full House for consideration. 

LINKS:

Gay Youth Group Fighting License Plate Ban

LBGT License Plates Pulled By Indiana BMV

Bill To Limit Specialty License Plates Withdrawn

Some Specialty License Plates Could Go Away