A hearing was made for a proposed change to the almost 25-year-old general license plate of the Chickadee Wednesday.

Instead of the official state bird being on the plate, there would potentially be Maine’s 1901 state flag of a blue star and a green pine tree. In regard to the potential new design, Bellows is willing to make acute adjustments.

On Wednesday, no testimonies were made in defense of keeping the chickadee license plate. Since there was no resistance to the state bird being replaced, the bill will most likely be passed by lawmakers.

In May 2025, new plates will be provided when drivers re-register their vehicles. The goal is to replace all license plates that subsequent May.

The Portland Press Herald reports the reasons for this change would be due to safety concerns around the plate. Shenna Bellows, Secretary of State, who overlooks the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, spoke to lawmakers on how the plates “have deteriorated beyond recognition.” If license plates and the numbers on them are not as easily seen it makes things “difficult.”

Head of Maine State Police’s traffic unit, Lt. Bruce Scott, explained in his testimony on Wednesday that these new plates would help law enforcement with any illicit activities and provide safety to the overall public driving on the roads at night and in unfavorable weather conditions.