I wish to correct the misinformation that was presented in Rick Hanners' column of June 23 regarding specialty license plates.

Yes, I sponsored Senate Bill 118 during the 2003 legislative session. The bill did pass, not fail as he stated. The following changes did take place:

The fee to an approved organization to establish a specialty plate was raised from $400 to $4000. If on the third year of issuance of the plate, it fails to sell at least 400 sets, the plate is terminated. The plates that have been sold can still be displayed.

If I had the opportunity to do this over, I would attempt to raise the minimum number of plates sold to 1,000 to hold down the number of different plates that are issued.

The minimum time between redesign of a specialty plate is four years.

Hanners may not like the looks of the Glacier Fund plate; however, it is the best selling plate of all specialty plates issued. The funds generated by the sale of the Glacier Fund plate have been put to very good use on projects benefiting Glacier National Park.

It is very important that consumers are aware that when they buy a specialty plate, they are contributing a specific dollar amount to the organization that sponsors the plate. When they display that plate on their vehicle, they are stating to the public they support that specific organization.

The freedom to express ourselves and to support our favorite causes is a wonderful privilege that we enjoy in the good old U.S.A.

Bob DePratu

Whitefish