This falls under the anything-to-make-a-buck category.

State Sen. Curren Price, D-Los Angeles, has proposed legislation that would allow the state to study creating electronic license plates that would display ads or other messages when the vehicle is stopped for more than four seconds. When the vehicle is moving, the plate’s digital screen would show only the license plate number. The number also would be visible at all times in some section of the screen. The plate also could be used to broadcast Amber Alerts or traffic information.

Price’s plan is intended as a moneymaker for the state, which is facing at least a $19 billion deficit. He said advertisers would contract directly with the DMV.

“We’re just trying to find creative ways of generating additional revenues,” Price told the Associated Press. “It’s an exciting marriage of technology with need and an opportunity to keep California in the forefront.”

Price said California would be the first state with such plates.

The bill, SB1453, was passed unanimously last month by the state Senate, and a hearing is set for Monday before the Assembly Transportation Committee.

No word on if anyone thinks such license plate ads would be distracting to other drivers.