Officials promote Snoopy license plates to benefit California museums

SACRAMENTO -- The world’s most recognizable beagle may soon be spotted on California cars.

Assemblywoman Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), along with officials from the Department of Motor Vehicles and other state agencies, publicized a new option for California motorists Thursday: a license plate adorned with a picture of Snoopy, the beloved canine from the “Peanuts” comic strip.

Atkins wrote the law last year that allows the California Cultural and Historical Endowment to create a grant program funded by revenue from the license plates that would pay for small capital projects at museums.

“Snoopy is part of our cultural heritage and I can’t think of a better ambassador for this program,” said Atkins, who is set to become the next Assembly speaker. Atkins then filled out an application for her own Snoopy plate.

The DMV must receive 7,500 applications in order to begin producing the plate; Jean Shiomoto, the agency’s director, said 1,300 people have so far submitted applications.

Snoopy himself is a Californian; “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz based his studio out of Santa Rosa.

The Snoopy plate costs $50, or $98 for a personalized tag.

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melanie.mason@latimes.com
Twitter: @melmason