Kentucky’s oft-derided “Mr. Smiley” license plate is being replaced with a much blander plate featuring the “Unbridled Spirit” motto: Hopkinsville Kentucky New Era: Goodbye smiley face...; Fletcher frowns on state's happy plates (June 30, 2005) , (Covington) Kentucky Post: New state motto hitting stride (July 5, 2005) , WAVE 3: Unpopular License Plates Phased Out Early (July 26, 2005) , Ashland Daily-Independent: Governor unveils new 'Unbridled Spirit' plate (July 19, 2005) , Courier-Journal: 'Unbridled Spirit' plates are unveiled; 'Smiley' licenses ride into sunset (July 20, 2005) , Cincinnati Enquirer: Smiley plate exiled early; Governor cites tag's incorrect 'panache' (July 20, 2005) , Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Governor Ernie Fletcher Unveils New Unbridled Spirit License Plate; Sun Sets On “Smiley Face” Plate (July 19, 2005) , Governor Ernie Fletcher’s Communication Office: Governor Ernie Fletcher unveils new Unbridled Spirit license plate (July 19, 2005) 

A bill that would allow the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to replace the state’s license plate whenever it sees fit was approved by the House Transportation Committee this week. Currently law stipulates that the state’s license plates be replaced every five years. Since the current license plates featuring a smiling sun were introduced in 2003, they are currently scheduled for replacement in 2008.

More information: Associated Press: House panel votes to get rid of smiley plate (Feb. 17, 2005) , WKYT: "Smiley Face" Plate Could Be Phased Out (Feb. 18, 2005) 

Kentucky’s “Mr. Smiley” license plate, which has been the object of much derision since its introduction last year, has received the 2003 Best License Plate Award from the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.

More information: Courier-Journal: Kentucky's controversial tag is rated best in nation (July 14, 2004) , WVIT: License Plate Club Brakes For Bluegrass State (July 14, 2004) 

The Courier-Journal has a story about the proposal to sell decals to hide the smiley face on the state’s license plates: Courier-Journal: State decal proposed to eclipse plate's sun (March 1, 2004) 

The bill is Senate Bill 57 .

An article in Monday.s issue of the Courier-Journal took a look at the process of how the content of personalized plate requests are reviewed: Courier-Journal: Some license plate requests judged 2 NASTY 4 KY (Feb. 16, 2004) 

The state senate has approved a “Choose Life” special licence plate; however, it rejected an amendment to create a “Protect Choice” license plate. Breast cancer awareness and Kentucky Colonels license plates were also approved. The bill must be approved the state house of representatives.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: 'LIFE' PLATE OK'D, BUT NOT 'CHOICE' (Feb. 4, 2004) 

During the first week of 2004 General Assembly, several bills were offered to replace the “Mr. Smiley” license plate. Bills range from new plate proposals to offering decals to place over the smiley face.

The Herald-Leader reporter points out that though many have obscured the smiley face on their own it is illegal to alter a license plate.

More information: Lexington Herald-Leader: Bills offered to alter, get rid of 'Mr. Smiley' (Jan. 10, 2004) 

State Senator Gary Tapp has proposed replacing the new smiling sun license plate with a plate of his own design. He has submitted a bill for consideration during the 2004 General Assembly. Tapp has a designed a replacement plate featuring the national and state flags along with the phrase "in God we trust."

More information: Shelbyville Sentinel News: Sun could set on 'Smiley' license plate (Dec. 18, 2003) 

Gov. Patton has defended the design of the new license plates by saying, "they don't put Rembrandts on the backs of cars." He also said that he personally had nothing to do with the design of the license plates, but that he does like it.

More information: Herald-Leader: Patton defends hiring and smiley-face plates (Jan. 7, 2003) 

The design of Kentucky's new license plate has been revealed. The new plates will begin being distributed in January. By state law, Kentucky releases new license plates every five years.

More information: KYTC Press Release , Governor Unveils New Kentucky License Plate 

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