8-1,146. License plates for United States military; military veterans; military branch decal. (a) Any owner or lessee of one or more passenger vehicles, trucks of a gross weight of 20,000 pounds or less, motorcycles or travel trailers, who is a resident of the state of Kansas and submits satisfactory proof to the director of vehicles as provided in subsection (c) that such person: (1) Has served and is designated as a veteran, and was discharged or released under an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions from the United States army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, space force or merchant marines; or (2) is currently serving in the United States army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, space force or merchant marines, upon compliance with the provisions of this section, may be issued one distinctive license plate for each such passenger vehicle, truck, motorcycle or travel trailer designating such person as an United States military veteran. Such license plate shall be issued for the same period of time as other license plates upon proper registration and payment of the regular license fee as provided in K.S.A. 8-143, and amendments thereto.

(b) Any person issued a license plate under this section may request a decal for each license plate indicating the appropriate military branch in which the person served or is currently serving.

(c) Any person who is a veteran or current member of the United States army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, space force or merchant marines may make application for such distinctive license plate on a form prescribed and furnished by the director of vehicles. Any applicant for the distinctive license plate shall furnish the director with proof as the director shall require that the applicant is a veteran or current member of the United States army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, space force or merchant marines. As proof of military veteran status, an applicant shall provide a Kansas driver's license with a veteran designation pursuant to K.S.A. 8-243(e), and amendments thereto, or a copy of the veteran's DD form 214, NGB form 22 or an equivalent discharge document as permitted by the director of vehicles showing character of service as honorable or general under honorable conditions. Application for the registration of a passenger vehicle, truck, motorcycle or travel trailer and issuance of the license plates under this section shall be made by the owner or lessee in a manner prescribed by the director of vehicles upon forms furnished by the director.

(d) No registration or distinctive license plates issued under the authority of this section shall be transferable to any other person.

(e) Renewals of registration under this section shall be made annually, upon payment of the fee prescribed in K.S.A. 8-143, and amendments thereto, and in the manner prescribed in K.S.A. 8-132(b), and amendments thereto. No renewal of registration shall be made to any applicant until such applicant has filed with the director a form as provided in subsection (c). If such form is not filed, the applicant shall be required to comply with K.S.A. 8-143, and amendments thereto, and return the distinctive license plates to the county treasurer of such person's residence.

(f) A fee of $2 shall be paid for each decal issued under subsection (a). The director of vehicles shall design such decals. Such decals shall be affixed to the license plate in the location required by the director.

History: L. 1997, ch. 79, § 1; L. 1998, ch. 140, § 13; L. 1999, ch. 125, § 13; L. 2000, ch. 87, § 3; L. 2004, ch. 170, § 3; L. 2005, ch. 123, § 2; L. 2006, ch. 182, § 4; L. 2008, ch. 156, § 5; L. 2022, ch. 57, § 8; L. 2025, ch. 75, § 7; July 1.