The committee voted to report SB 1061 and re‑refer it to the Finance Committee. The bill would repeal the statutory requirement that motor vehicles display physical registration decals on license plates. The sponsor, Senator Diggs, told the committee a decal program costs the DMV about $2.3 million annually and that eliminating decals would reduce customer trips to DMV service centers. He cited other states and Canadian provinces that have ended decals and a Pennsylvania estimate of $20 million savings since 2017.

Commissioner Lackey of DMV testified the agency will implement a two‑phase approach that emphasizes electronic reminders, a mobile ID app, and the continuation of mailed renewal notices; the DMV also proposed sending an extra paper notice closer to the renewal date to address concerns that decals serve as visual reminders for customers. The department said law enforcement will continue to have electronic access to registration records from patrol vehicles.

Senators asked about possible waste or increased mailings; Commissioner Lackey said DMV intends to use some of the savings to fund targeted reminders and the mobile app. The committee voted to report and re‑refer to Finance (Ayes 12, No 0 documented in roll call). The sponsor and several members flagged a potential future amendment to address inspection stickers, which are separate from registration decals.

Votes on SB 1061
Motion: report and re‑refer to Finance. Mover: Senator Diggs. Second: not specified. Vote: Ayes 12, No 0 (recorded in transcript). Outcome: reported and re‑referred to Finance.