SB 296

Present law provides that a person commits a Class B misdemeanor if the person acts with criminal negligence and purchases or poss esses a license plate flipper. Additionally, a person commits a Class A misdemeanor if the person acts with criminal negligence and manufactures, sells, offers to sell, or otherwise distributes a license plate flipper. As used in present law, a "license plate flipper"" means a manual, electronic, or mechanical device designed or adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle that either (i) alternates between two or more license plates for the purpose of allowing the vehicle operator to change the license pla t e displayed on the operator's vehicle; or (ii) hides a license plate from view by flipping the plate, making the license number not visible. This bill authorizes a law enforcement officer to seize or impound as evidence a motor vehicle that is found with an installed license plate flipper. However, if the owner or operator of the vehicle is present, then the owner or operator must be provided the opportunity to promptly remove the flipper if it can be removed safely. If the flipper is removed, then a l a w enforcement officer may only seize the flipper as contraband. Further, if the motor vehicle is impounded, then the owner is responsible for payment of towing, impound fees, and reasonable costs to remove the license plate flipper. ON FEBRUARY 24, 2025, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 300, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 authorizes a law enforcement officer, in the officer's discretion, to direct the owner or operator of the motor vehicle to move the vehicle to a location that the office r designates for the safe removal of the license plate flipper."