Senate panel rejects bill to eliminate fines for obscured license plates

A Senate panel has rejected a measure that would allow motorists whose license plates are obscured to avoid paying a fine if caught.

Last year, lawmakers passed a state law to prohibit the obstruction of the name of the state on Arizona license plates. Violating the law is a civil offense and carries a fine of $110 to $200.

S1075 would have prohibited a law enforcement officer from issuing a traffic complaint to a person who violates this law. Violations would have resulted in a verbal warning.

The bill failed by a vote of 4-to-2.