Ethan Safran

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

MADISON - The state's first pro-life license plate will soon be available for purchase.

The proposed special plate by Choose Life Wisconsin, Inc., a corporation formed by Wisconsin Family Action and Pro-Life Wisconsin, was approved on Nov. 30. The state Division of Motor Vehicles received 26 objections to the proposal.

The plate was referred to the state transportation committees in both houses after a 30-day public review ended Nov. 13. The committees did not notify the DMV about a need for further review of the application, signaling the plate's approval.

Motorists will be able to purchase the plate within 12 months. Annual $25 donations for issuance and renewal of each plate will be awarded to pregnancy resource centers in Madison, Milwaukee and Appleton's Womankind Medical Clinic.

In a statement, Julaine Appling, president of Choose Life Wisconsin, Inc., said the plate has been nearly 10 years in the making.

RELATED: Pro-life group applies for Wisconsin license plate

RELATED: Wis. gets new 'In God We Trust' license plates

"Wisconsin citizens will soon be able to proclaim their pro-life beliefs on their license plates and by doing so help fund on-the-ground organizations that are on the front lines of the pro-life cause.”

The initiative is part of a nationwide effort, shepherded by Choose Life America, Inc., to get pro-life plates in all 50 states.

The proposed design features an ink stamp of a baby's foot on the plate's left side. "Choose Life," written in red, is under the plate number.

Prior to Oct. 1, groups worked with legislators to sponsor a bill to authorize a plate, ultimately requiring approval by the Legislature and a signature from the governor. That changed with the passage of Act 227 in March. Now, any group can apply directly through the DMV. Choose Life Wisconsin, Inc. is the first and only group to have submitted a special plate application following the amended process, said Shaun Peterson, a supervisor with the DMV's special plates unit.

Previous pro-life license plate efforts in Wisconsin have failed. In 2014, a bill, sponsored by state Rep. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, to create a "Choose Life" plate, passed in the Assembly, but not in the Senate.

Ethan Safran: 920-996-7267, or esafran@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @EthanSafran