The first specialty license plate bill of the year was introduced in the House Transportation Committee Thursday afternoon, honoring the Orofino High School Maniacs, reports Bill Spence of the Lewiston Tribune. Rep. Paul Shepherd, R-Riggins, sponsored the measure; he also proposed a similar bill last year, but it died without a hearing. Shepherd said money from the Maniacs plate would go to the Clearwater Community Foundation to pay for various youth programs.

Rep. Phylis King, D-Boise, noted that some mental health advocates and people with mental illness objected to Shepherd's bill last year; Orofino is the home of State Hospital North, one of the state’s two mental hospitals. Shepherd said there’s no change from last year, and said the state hospital doesn’t oppose the specialty plate. “They love their Maniacs and are very proud of them,” he said; Spence’s full report is online here.

The House Transportation Committee voted to introduce the bill, clearing the way for a possible hearing; King cast the only “no” vote.

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