HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5057        FILED ON: 8/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4691

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

James K. Hawkins and Kelly W. Pease

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act establishing an Orange Star license plate for veterans exposed to Agent Orange.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

James K. Hawkins

2nd Bristol

8/15/2025

Kelly W. Pease

4th Hampden

8/21/2025

Shirley B. Arriaga

8th Hampden

9/9/2025

Michelle L. Badger

1st Plymouth

10/12/2025

Lisa Field

3rd Bristol

9/10/2025

Brandy Fluker-Reid

12th Suffolk

10/1/2025

Carmine Lawrence Gentile

13th Middlesex

9/11/2025

Ryan M. Hamilton

15th Essex

9/11/2025

Natalie M. Higgins

4th Worcester

9/25/2025

Patrick Joseph Kearney

4th Plymouth

9/10/2025

Kathleen R. LaNatra

12th Plymouth

9/9/2025

John J. Marsi

6th Worcester

9/9/2025

Brian W. Murray

10th Worcester

9/10/2025

Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.

12th Hampden

9/10/2025

Alan Silvia

7th Bristol

9/18/2025

Mark D. Sylvia

10th Bristol

9/11/2025

Susannah M. Whipps

2nd Franklin

9/9/2025


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5057        FILED ON: 8/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4691

By Representatives Hawkins of Attleboro and Pease of Westfield, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James K. Hawkins and Kelly W. Pease relative to establishing an Orange Star license plate for veterans exposed to Agent Orange.  Transportation.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

 

An Act establishing an Orange Star license plate for veterans exposed to Agent Orange.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

The registrar shall furnish, without charge to owners of private passenger motor vehicles who reside in Massachusetts, the Orange Star plate. Upon evidence deemed satisfactory by the registrar, registration plates bearing the Orange Star distinctive emblem that identifies Vietnam veterans who have a documented medical condition that the VA attributes to service in Vietnam for one private passenger motor vehicle or motorcycle owned and principally used by such recipient; provided, however, that the surviving spouse of a deceased recipient may elect to retain such distinctive registration plates or emblem for personal use upon payment of the established registration fee for private passenger motor vehicles or motorcycles and an additional annual twenty dollar fee until such spouse remarries or fails to renew or cancels such registration. This recognition is not officially a military medal, but a symbol of appreciation for those affected by Agent Orange.