District of ColumbiaD.C. directs mayor to offer plates for Purple Heart recipients
D.C. requires the mayor to offer Purple Heart plates for recipients and unremarried surviving spouses, though the applicant proof rule leaves spouse eligibility unclear.
What it does
The mayor must offer Purple Heart plates for recipients and surviving spouses who have not remarried. A proof rule appears to require each applicant to have received the award, so spouse eligibility is unclear.
Residents ordering a Purple Heart plate pay a one-time $10 fee unless the mayor sets another amount by rule. They pay no annual display fee, and the application fee supports the Office of Veterans Affairs.
Argument forResidents who order the plate could avoid a recurring charge because the law bars an annual fee for displaying it.
Argument againstThe proof rule could keep surviving spouses from getting a plate because it appears to require every applicant to have received a Purple Heart.
More detail
The mayor must design and offer Purple Heart license plates. The plate design covers vehicle owners who received a Purple Heart and surviving spouses who have not remarried. Before issuing a plate, the law requires proof that the applicant received a Purple Heart. That wording leaves spouse eligibility unclear. These rules took effect May 21, 2026.
Residents ordering the plate pay a one-time application fee that goes to the Office of Veterans Affairs Fund. This applies to D.C. residents ordering a Purple Heart plate. The fee is $10 unless the mayor sets another amount by rule. No annual fee applies for displaying the plate. These fee rules took effect May 21, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 21Law Number L26-0114 Effective from May 21, 2026Latest
- Apr 9Transmitted to CongressMinor
- Mar 27Act A26-0276 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 005063
- Mar 20Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0276Became Law
- Mar 10Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Mar 24, 2026To Governor
- Mar 3Final Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded Final Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- Feb 3First Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded First Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- 2025
- Dec 18Committee Mark-up of B26-0135 by the Transportation and the Environment Committee
- Nov 13Public Hearing on B26-0135 View Public Hearing Record
- Oct 24Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Oct 21Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by Transportation and the EnvironmentMinor
- Mar 7Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0135 Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Mar 4Referred to Committee on Transportation and the EnvironmentMinor
- Feb 21B26-0135 Introduced by Councilmember Bonds at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
VeteransTransportation