NEW HAMPSHIRE- Bill: Put 'Live Free or Die' on motorcycle plates, too

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http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120114/NEWS/201140318/-1/NEWSMAP Bill: Put 'Live Free or Die' on motorcycle plates, too

 By Elizabeth Dinan edinan@seacoastonline.com January 14, 2012 2:00 AMCONCORD — State Rep. Tim Copeland has filed a bill to get the state's "Live Free or Die" slogan embossed onto motorcycle license plates.
While he hasn't straddled a bike in some years, the Stratham Republican said "it's a great saying" that shouldn't be limited to license plates on trucks and cars.
He said the idea was hatched at a convention for lawmakers where candy trays were sold that were made by inmates out of defective license plates. While looking at those candy dishes, Copeland wondered why the slogan — from a toast made in 1809 by Gen. John Stark — isn't celebrated on the backs of motorcycles.
Copeland said there would be no additional cost to the state and he's been told there's nothing logistical to prevent stamping the state slogan onto the smaller motorcycle plates.
Al Contois, general manager of Seacoast Harley Davidson in North Hampton, called the proposal "kind of neat."
"It would be neat for the bike riders and neat for the state," said Contois, who has a trademarked slogan for his business that reads: "Live Free and Ride."
Copeland's bill is with the House Transportation Committee and proposes replacing the word "motorcycle" at the top of all motorcycle plates with the state motto. A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 31 to debate the bill, which is expected to come out of committee on Feb. 23.