Officials seek your input on design of new bicentennial license plates

Missourians are encouraged to help select the design of a new bicentennial automobile license plate, which will be out in time for the Show-Me State’s bicentennial in 2021.

Options for the plate design will be presented at four public hearings across the state. The initial hearing was held in September in Springfield. Here’s the schedule for the rest:

· October 11 at the Kansas City Area District– MoDOT building (600 NE Colbern Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086), phone 816.607.2000
· October 25 at the MoDOT Transportation Management Center (14301 South Outer 40 Road, Town and Country, MO 63017), phone 314.275.1500
· November 1 at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center (Tinnin Fine Arts Center, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901), phone 573.840.9605

All sessions begin at 6 p.m. The public is invited to discuss the plate options at the meetings. Online voting will be open from September 27 through December 1 at missouri2021.org.

Missouri became the nation’s twenty-fourth state on August 10, 1821. Planning for statewide commemorations began in 2013, after the 97th General Assembly selected the State Historical Society of Missouri to spearhead the efforts.

“It was essential that the process start when it did,” said Gary Kremer, SHSMO executive director. “The bicentennial license plate is the first step of many to help ensure that all Missourians are a part of the state’s celebration.”

State Representative Glen Kolkmeyer of Missouri’s 53rd District sponsored the legislation, and Dave Schatz, Senator from the 26th District, helped ensure the effort progressed on the Senate floor. On July 1, 2016, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed House Bill 2380, authorizing the bicentennial plate.

SHSMO trustee Doug Crews has also been an instrumental figure in the project. “A lot of people helped bring the idea of a bicentennial license plate this far. We are thankful to the Governor, Representative Kolkmeyer, and Senator Schatz for their support,” Crews said.

The public meetings were organized by the Bicentennial License Plate Advisory Committee, created by HB 2380. Members include leaders from the State Historical Society, Department of Revenue, State Highway Patrol, Department of Corrections, and Department of Transportation, as well as the chairpersons of the transportation committees in both houses of Missouri’s General Assembly.

See all the designs at the official Missouri 2021 Bicentennial Web site here.