Since this makes about as much sense as designer identification cards, instead of debating practical issues as reasons why this would pass I would start cynically by checking for financial connections between Reviver and California government.<p>Seeing as Reviver started in 2009 and were allowed testing from 2013 that didn't start until 2017, I'd check the connections of pols or administrators who left in 2012 or 2014, too. That four-year gap makes me think that they got state permission before they had anything resembling a product, so it might have needed to be done before someone in particular left their influential job.<p>edit:<p>The press release can't stop mentioning politicians, and a list of groups who would definitely endorse anything for a check pretending that this is important innovation.<p><a href="https://reviver.com/press-release/reviver-announces-passage-of-digital-license-plate-approval-legislation-in-california-ab-984-enabling-permanent-statewide-adoption/" rel="nofollow">https://reviver.com/press-release/reviver-announces-passage-...</a><p>> Neville Boston, Reviver Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer [said] “We’d like to thank Assemblymember Lori. D. Wilson for spearheading this important bill, as well as our previous authors and many diverse partners for their help in reaching this exciting milestone. We are especially grateful to the California Black Chamber of Commerce, California New Car Dealers Association, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and the California Police Chiefs Association. Without their unwavering support, this wouldn’t be possible.”<p>-----<p>> “I am honored and humbled to see AB 984 signed into law,” said Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). “As a member of the California Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus, I am thrilled to build upon the past successes of the Legislature that first implemented this program. AB 984 strikes a necessary balance between innovation and privacy while digitizing the only thing on our cars today that remain antiquated, license plates.”<p>-----<p>> “In 2013, I authored SB 806, a bill that authorized an alternative device pilot program with the CA DMV and sparked the evolution of the digital license plate, ” said Senator Ben Hueso. “AB 984 enroots a successful pilot program and exemplifies California’s leadership in technological innovation, while maintaining the integrity of thoughtful security, privacy, and convenience.”<p>-----<p>> “California is home to the rapidly growing technology of digital license plates,” said Majority Leader Emeritus Hertzberg. “California has always been a place for innovation and opportunity, and AB 984 shows how we can use technology to improve compliance, offer convenience, and develop industry standards.”<p>edit:<p>More on Ben Hueso - this seems like literally the first thing he did when he got into office, which was 2013. The other thing he's famous for is: "In March 2017 Hueso was the lead author of the controversial California Senate Bill 649 which would have removed a city's ability to control where the 5G cell service antennas are placed, transferring that power to the state." <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Hueso" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Hueso</a>