AUGUSTA – Lawmakers are being asked to allow special license plates or plate decals for certain veterans, agriculture, education, retired firefighters, another higher education plate and a plate for members of the National Rifle Association. Maine already allows 22 decals and has nine separate plate designs.

“Maine has few compared to other states,” Secretary of State Matt Dunlap said in an interview. “We have a process in place that seeks to make sure any plate pays for itself.”

Maine has the basic “chickadee” plate that most Mainers use, but it also has the “loon” plate chosen by 74,000 Mainers, the “lobster” plate chosen by more than 15,000 vehicle owners, the University of Maine System plate is on a little more than 8,000 vehicles and the Maine Black Bear plate is on about 2,600 vehicles.

“The legislature adopted a process to limit the number of special plates a few years ago,” said Sen. Dennis Damon, D-Hancock. He is the co-chairman of the Transportation Committee that heard testimony on eight plate proposals Friday.

The legislation requires a group that wants a specialty plate assure there is enough support to warrant the making of 2,000 plates.

“In looking through the spreadsheet provided to us today by the secretary of state, I see that none of these proposals have met all the requirements of the legislation,” Damon said.

The most support at the hearing was for a bill creating an agriculture recognition plate to support agriculture education programs in schools. Several groups and individuals, including Agriculture Commissioner Robert Spear, testified in support of the proposal.

“The Ag in the classroom organization has done, and is doing, a world of good in this state,” Spear said. “They are training teachers in the schools that are educating our youngsters about agriculture and the importance of agriculture.”

Several agricultural groups and individuals involved in agriculture urged passage of the measure, which would generate funds for the educational program. They emphasized the benefits of the education program, prompting Rep. Boyd Marley, D-Portland, to remind supporters to address why a special plate is warranted.

“Please, tell us how you plan to meet the minimum support the law requires,” he said.

Cathy Curtis from the Secretary of State’s Office was neutral on the most of the various plate proposals, but did oppose a measure that would provide any veteran with a lifetime plate. That was estimated to cost the state $3.3 million a year and would also cost the municipalities revenue.

“I think that’s an unfunded mandate,” said Sen. Christine Savage, R-Knox. “Won’t we have to pay 50 percent of the loss to the towns?”

The measure was unanimously opposed by those lawmakers voting at a brief work session after the public hearing.

A proposal for a National Rifle Association plate was opposed by an individual member of the organization. Donald LoPrieno of Bristol warned the state should not provide a plate for a private organization.

“This could lead to a whole series of special registrations for a whole series of groups with their own agendas,” he said.

He also testified on behalf of the Bangor-based Wildlife Alliance of Maine. He is on the group’s board of directors.

Rep. Donald Pilon, D-Saco, testified in support of his proposal, which has yet to be printed as a bill, that would create a plate in support of National Guard families. Anyone would be eligible for the plate, not just guardsmen. The money generated by the plate would go to a fund administered by Army National Guard that provides assistance to families of guard members.

He said there is broad support among Mainers for the guard and the military and he argued they would easily meet the 2,000-plate minimum.

“Just look at all those yellow magnetic ribbons on cars when you drive here everyday as I do, “he said,” I think there is plenty of support.”

Rep. Chris Rector, R-Thomaston, is proposing a needs-based scholarship for Maine students funded in part by a new plate design supporting higher education in the state. The design would allow a decal to be added to indicate support of any of Maine’s higher education facilities such as Colby, Bates or Bowdoin Colleges.

“This is a way to honor all of Maine’s higher educational institutions, “he said, “and provide help to Maine students that need that help.”

Committee members voted to carry over five of the proposals until next year’s session to allow supporters time to get firm commitments for the minimum number of plates. They also believe there may be other proposals for specialty plates before them as the session continues.

The demand for specialty plates is widespread across the country. Virginia has 146 separate plate designs, Florida nearly as many. And some small states also offer several plates to choose from, South Dakota offers a dozen designs and New Mexico offers eight. Most states also allow a wide array of decals for veterans’ plates, as does Maine.