Attn: Virginia Residents - Possible AT License Plate

[wilconow]

I recieved this e-mail from the ATC. Don't know anything else about it.

Want a Virginia AT License Plate? Look for info below how you can help out by simply sending an email!


Dear fellow lover of the Appalachian Trail,



Your wait for a special Virginia license tag celebrating the Appalachian Trail may soon be over. In fact, thanks to a lot of last-minute hard work on the part of several key players, we’ve just received word that a bill will be introduced to the Virginia Senate’s Transportation Committee. The hearing will take place this coming Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 2:00pm in Senate Room B in Richmond. The text of that bill is as follows:



1 SENATE BILL NO. 422

2 Offered January 9, 2008

3 Prefiled January 8, 2008

4 A BILL to authorize the issuance of special license plates to supporters of the Appalachian Trail; fees.

5 ––––––––––

Patron––Puckett

6 ––––––––––

7 Referred to Committee on Transportation

8 ––––––––––

9 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

10 1. § 1. Special license plates for supporters of the Appalachian Trail; fees.

11 A. On receipt of an application and payment of the fee prescribed by this section, and following the

12 provisions of § 46.2-725 of the Code of Virginia other than those relating to the fee for the plates and

13 its disposition, the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles shall issue to the applicant

14 special license plates for supporters of the Appalachian Trail.

15 B. The annual fee for plates issued pursuant to this section shall be $25 in addition to the prescribed

16 fee for state license plates. For each such $25 fee collected in excess of 1,000 registrations pursuant to

17 this section, $15 shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to a special nonreverting fund known

18 as the Appalachian Trail Fund established within the Department of Accounts. These funds shall be paid

19 annually to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and used to support its operation and programs in

20 Virginia. All other fees imposed under the provisions of this section shall be paid to, and received by,

21 the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and paid by him into the state treasury and set

22 aside as a special fund to be used to meet the necessary expenses incurred by the Department of Motor



In order to make this happen during this session, we need a really strong showing of support. Please considering taking a couple of minutes to help us make this a reality by doing the following:



1) Create an email to: [email protected] with a subject of “Virginia AT Tag Program”

2) Cut and paste the following form (between the dashed lines) into that email:

================================================== ===

Name:

Email address:

Zip Code:



I am a resident of the state of Virginia, and I support the creation of an “Appalachian Trail” license tag for the state of Virginia. I understand that purchasing this plate, once available, will cost an additional $25 per vehicle. Please let me know as soon as such a plate is available!

================================================== ====

3) Send the email as soon as possible (no later than Tuesday, January 29th).

4) If at all possible, show up at the hearing to further voice your support.



Thanks so much for your show of support!

thank you for reading!

[Furlough]

A good idea whose time has finally come. I think it only fitting the state of Virginia - which contains the most AT miles - finally pays tribute to this foot path that we support (and in the case of some long for). I hope other Va trail enthusiasts will take time to reply as shown below so this idea can become a reality.

Wilconow - is there any pre-art available that will show what the plate will look like??

Furlough



Want a Virginia AT License Plate? Look for info below how you can help out by simply sending an email!
Quote:
Dear fellow lover of the Appalachian Trail,



Your wait for a special Virginia license tag celebrating the Appalachian Trail may soon be over. In fact, thanks to a lot of last-minute hard work on the part of several key players, we’ve just received word that a bill will be introduced to the Virginia Senate’s Transportation Committee. The hearing will take place this coming Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 2:00pm in Senate Room B in Richmond. The text of that bill is as follows:



1 SENATE BILL NO. 422

2 Offered January 9, 2008

3 Prefiled January 8, 2008

4 A BILL to authorize the issuance of special license plates to supporters of the Appalachian Trail; fees.

5 ––––––––––

Patron––Puckett

6 ––––––––––

7 Referred to Committee on Transportation

8 ––––––––––

9 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

10 1. § 1. Special license plates for supporters of the Appalachian Trail; fees.

11 A. On receipt of an application and payment of the fee prescribed by this section, and following the

12 provisions of § 46.2-725 of the Code of Virginia other than those relating to the fee for the plates and

13 its disposition, the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles shall issue to the applicant

14 special license plates for supporters of the Appalachian Trail.

15 B. The annual fee for plates issued pursuant to this section shall be $25 in addition to the prescribed

16 fee for state license plates. For each such $25 fee collected in excess of 1,000 registrations pursuant to

17 this section, $15 shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to a special nonreverting fund known

18 as the Appalachian Trail Fund established within the Department of Accounts. These funds shall be paid

19 annually to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and used to support its operation and programs in

20 Virginia. All other fees imposed under the provisions of this section shall be paid to, and received by,

21 the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and paid by him into the state treasury and set

22 aside as a special fund to be used to meet the necessary expenses incurred by the Department of Motor



In order to make this happen during this session, we need a really strong showing of support. Please considering taking a couple of minutes to help us make this a reality by doing the following:



1) Create an email to: [email protected] with a subject of “Virginia AT Tag Program”

2) Cut and paste the following form (between the dashed lines) into that email:

================================================== ===

Name:

Email address:

Zip Code:



I am a resident of the state of Virginia, and I support the creation of an “Appalachian Trail” license tag for the state of Virginia. I understand that purchasing this plate, once available, will cost an additional $25 per vehicle. Please let me know as soon as such a plate is available!

================================================== ====

3) Send the email as soon as possible (no later than Tuesday, January 29th).

4) If at all possible, show up at the hearing to further voice your support.

thank you for reading!

[Wonder]

I was wondering.........it's about time! Figures I just go my tags though

[Lone Wolf]

Want a Virginia AT License Plate?

i've got one. HOG (Harley Owners Group)

[Furlough]

I was wondering.........it's about time! Figures I just go my tags though

An apt thing for Wonder to do - wondering :). And in that vain I wonder how long it will take from passage of the bill to availability of the plates, assuming of course the bill passes. The tags for my truck are fairly new, but if enough time elapses I think I can justify new tags a bit further into the year.

Furlough

[AlwaysHiking]

Sending in an email of support won't have any effect on the process. DMV outlines very specific guidelines to follow. All they need is for the sponsor, ATC, to collect 350 prepaid applications for the plates. DMV doesn't pay any attention to an email declaring an intent to purchase the plate.

What would be more helpful is to find out from ATC how you can fill out an application and get it on file with them. If they already have the 350 applications, including payment for each set, then it's going to get approved without question, if not, then no amount of "I'd like to see this plate available" emails, however well-intentioned, will help.


Sponsorship Requirements

Provide formal written authorization for use of the design and logo on the license plate.
Provide electronic media artwork for license plate design in vector form such as Adobe Illustrator.
Coordinate the design approval process.
Submit and facilitate the collection of 350 or more prepaid applications from applicants with active vehicle registrations. ...http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/platesponsor_special.pdf


I'd be all about an AT plate, but I'm afraid I can't be of any help in getting it approved/passed without knowing where to send my prepaid application.

[Lone Wolf]

Virginia has a TON of plates. here's a sample of college ones available http://www.dmv.state.va.us/exec/vehicle/splates/category.asp?category=C

[rday]

http://www.dmvnow.com/webdoc/pdf/vsa10.pdf

I think this is the application we're looking for. Check the special interest box and put Appalachian Trail Conservancy? The DMV says they want 350 plus applications, but ONE check. So I'm assuming the ATC would have to collect the apps and the money and then send to DMV, I dunno. I'm more then willing to call DMV and ATC on Monday if there is still confusion, I'm not sure what the right procedure is at this point.




What would be more helpful is to find out from ATC how you can fill out an application and get it on file with them. If they already have the 350 applications, including payment for each set, then it's going to get approved without question, if not, then no amount of "I'd like to see this plate available" emails, however well-intentioned, will help.

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/platesponsor_special.pdf


I'd be all about an AT plate, but I'm afraid I can't be of any help in getting it approved/passed without knowing where to send my prepaid application.

[rday]

* 350 plus meaning 350 applications or more.

[wilconow]

Sending in an email of support won't have any effect on the process. DMV outlines very specific guidelines to follow. All they need is for the sponsor, ATC, to collect 350 prepaid applications for the plates. DMV doesn't pay any attention to an email declaring an intent to purchase the plate.

What would be more helpful is to find out from ATC how you can fill out an application and get it on file with them. If they already have the 350 applications, including payment for each set, then it's going to get approved without question, if not, then no amount of "I'd like to see this plate available" emails, however well-intentioned, will help.

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/platesponsor_special.pdf


I'd be all about an AT plate, but I'm afraid I can't be of any help in getting it approved/passed without knowing where to send my prepaid application.

I was involved in that process for a license plate for alumni of my college. It was a while ago, but I believe then I did send in the pre-paid appliation before it became a reality.

However, this time someone from the ATC took time to send out an message saying an e-mail will help. I'm not sure why they would specifically ask you to do something if it didn't help. Also, I'm thinking this may be different from other processes to get a plate because of the bill before the Transportation Comm.

[wilconow]

I just received another email:


Greetings again, fellow lovers of the Appalachian Trail!



Thanks so much for expressing your support for the Appalachian Trail license plate program in Virginia. I need to bring you up-to-date on recent developments:



For starters, we’ve received almost 300 emails of support for the program in just a few days. Thanks to all of you!!!!



The Transportation Committee hearing date has been changed from Thursday, January 31, 2008 to the following Thursday, February 7, 2008. We will compile all of the supporting emails into a signed “petition” which will be included in our testimony in front of the committee. We already have a sizable contingent of folks who will be attending the meeting. Due to the ambitious agenda already on the docket and the limited space in the senate room, we’ve been asked to keep the attendance limited to those folks.



Once the bill passes the Senate, we all need to be ready to act quickly and to work together. The House may well require that we have 350 pre-paid registrants before they will introduce the bill. I will keep all interested parties informed and involved in this process. Assuming that the bill makes it through both the House and the Senate, the plates will be available some time in 2009. We won’t start seeing revenue from the plates until the first 1,000 have been sold, which will likely be in 2010. Once we know that the bill has passed, ATC will follow up with all Virginia Clubs to: 1) garner their participation in selecting a final design for the plate and 2) help ATC develop a policy on how the monies raised will be distributed to worthy AT projects throughout the state on an ongoing basis.



I appreciate your help with this very exciting project. Please let me know if you have any questions.



Jack Noll, Education and Outreach Specialist, ATC Virginia Regional Office

[AlwaysHiking]

Also, I'm thinking this may be different from other processes to get a plate because of the bill before the Transportation Comm.

Why would it be any different I wonder? It's easy, get 350 prepaid applications and it gets approved. They all go before the General Assembly to get approval even for the revenue sharing. Interesting...

[Skyline]

Several years ago the Shenandoah National Park Association (SNPA) undertook the same project. They had to collect at least 350 applications, with payment, and present them to the Commonwealth in order to establish a new SNP Virginia plate. Not promises, not letters of support--applications with $$$ which SNPA aggregated.

Well, it was like pulling teeth. Lots and lots of folks said they supported the idea. Many even said they would do it. But when the first deadline came, SNPA was way short of 350 apps.

They had to get a deadline extension working through local legislators, subsidize the plates, and beg, repeatedly, for people to take the 10 minutes necessary to respond. And still they had to get a third extension.

Finally, we got our SNP license plates. I have one, and as much as I'd like to support the AT plate effort--too much went into establishing the SNP plate to give it up.

I have a feeling ATC is going to experience the same issues SNPA did, but I hope they will persevere and one of these years we will have an AT plate in VA.

[AlwaysHiking]

Several years ago the Shenandoah National Park Association (SNPA) undertook the same project. They had to collect at least 350 applications, with payment, and present them to the Commonwealth in order to establish a new SNP Virginia plate. Not promises, not letters of support--applications with $$$ which SNPA aggregated.

Well, it was like pulling teeth. Lots and lots of folks said they supported the idea. Many even said they would do it. But when the first deadline came, SNPA was way short of 350 apps.

They had to get a deadline extension working through local legislators, subsidize the plates, and beg, repeatedly, for people to take the 10 minutes necessary to respond. And still they had to get a third extension.

Finally, we got our SNP license plates. I have one, and as much as I'd like to support the AT plate effort--too much went into establishing the SNP plate to give it up.

I have a feeling ATC is going to experience the same issues SNPA did, but I hope they will persevere and one of these years we will have an AT plate in VA.

At the end of 5 years, at least 200 people have to be registered and current with the plate or it won't be renewed. I didn't know there was an SNP plate. I may order that this April when my registration expires.

[wilconow]

Why would it be any different I wonder? It's easy, get 350 prepaid applications and it gets approved. They all go before the General Assembly to get approval even for the revenue sharing. Interesting...

It makes more sense now that I got the 2nd message from the ATC.. us sending email helps gets to the point where you do the prepaid applications

[Dholmblad]

go va, Id definitely get one for the car I am buying soon. Sent an email to em.

[Cabin Fever]

I believe these people are trying to get commitments from people that they will buy one when it comes available.

We are going through the same thing in Tennessee. Our bill is scheduled for some time in February. We are taking commitments from people so that when the bill is passed we can start collecting money. When the bill is passed, the ATC will collect the money until we reach 1000 people. Our group (TEHCC, ATC and others) are making plans for collecting the money through ATC (PayPal, et al), marketing and other things. Until then, if you are interested in the Tennessee AT plate, please send me your name, phone number, email, address so we can contact you when we start officially collecting applications.

[Blissful]

My hubby got this e-mail too. I already have the green plate border that says "I'd rather be hiking the APpalachian Trail." Would be great to get one.

[Furlough]

Regardless of what the process is, was, should be, I am just glad this effort is going forward. I sent in my email of support and will send in an application with the amount requested for the plate when the time comes to do so.

Furlough

[NICKTHEGREEK]

I'd have to buy another car to get one. I'm maxed out on special interest plates.

[HIKER7s]

NOW if this goes through, maybe the idea will catch on in PA

[Lauriep]

Here's a message from ATC's central and southwest Virginia office:


Fellow lovers of the Appalachian Trail,

We’re closing in on getting legislative approval for our Virginia “Appalachian Trail” Specialty License Plate.

Senate Bill 422, authorizing these plates, will next be heard in a House sub-committee, probably this coming week. The more pre-paid applications we have in hand, the better our chances are of having a successful hearing.

At this point, we have 33 pre-paid applications – that’s a great start, and we greatly appreciate all of you who have shown this level of support! We still have quite a way to go, though.

So…please take a few minutes to visit our website and learn more about how you can help make this program a reality. It’s a great way to show the other drivers on the road how important the A.T. is to you.

Remember, since this is a revenue-sharing plate, we will be generating funding that will be put back into Appalachian Trail conservation efforts in Virginia.

Please visit http://www.appalachiantrail.org and click on “Get An A.T. License Plate”, then click on “Virginia”. There, you will find a list of frequently asked questions and a printable application form with special instructions.

Thanks again, and see you on the Trail!


If you have any questions, contact Jack Noll, Education and Outreach Specialist, at [email protected] or 540.953.3571 x.253.

I wish I were still a Virginia resident!

Laurie Potteiger
ATC

[Lauriep]

Jack Noll in our Virginia office asked me to post the following message:


The design folks at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy have come up with three beautiful plate designs…now, they need your help in selecting the finalist.

Click on this link to enter the voting booth: www.appalachiantrail.org/valicenseplatedesign

The polls will close at 5:00pm on Wednesday, May 14th. The official announcement of the winner will take place at the Appalachian Trail Days Festival in Damascus, Virginia on Friday, May 16th.

Remember, this is a revenue-sharing plate. This means that buying a plate is a win-win…you get to tell the world (well, at least those other drivers out there) how much the Trail means to you, AND a portion of the money goes back to the ATC to help them fund conservation, education and maintenance efforts along the Virginia section of the Trail.

Please note – only one vote per person!


If you have any questions, please direct them to Jack Noll at [email protected].

Laurie Potteiger
ATC

[Blissful]

Great news for Virginia!!