Military license plate bill wins passage

AUGUSTA – A bill to establish a specialty license plate to show support for U.S. troops and raise money for their families has won final legislative passage and has been sent to Gov. John Baldacci, who plans to sign it.

The House and Senate gave their final approval Thursday to the bill authorizing the special plates in Maine. Plates showing a yellow ribbon and the words “We Support Our Troops” in place of the “Vacationland” slogan would be available for purchase as soon as Nov. 1.

Baldacci supports the legislation and plans to sign it, spokesman David Farmer said Friday.

Rep. Don Pilon, D-Saco, first submitted the bill last session. Since then, he has raised more than $40,000 and collected more than 2,000 signatures of support, as required by law for specialty license plate proposals.

The measure creates a trust to direct money to the families of military personnel serving overseas. Money raised through extra charges for the specialty plates would be distributed in the form of loans or grants, based on recommendations from a nine-member board.