The most struggling economy in the country is ready to try anything:

As electronic highway billboards flashing neon advertisements become more prevalent, the next frontier in distracted driving is already approaching—ad-blaring license plates.

The California Legislature is considering a bill that would allow the state to begin researching the use of electronic license plates for vehicles. The move is intended as a moneymaker for a state facing a $19 billion deficit.

The device would mimic a standard license plate when the vehicle is in motion but would switch to digital ads or other messages when it is stopped for more than four seconds, whether in traffic or at a red light. The license plate number would remain visible at all times in some section of the screen.

In emergencies, the plates could be used to broadcast Amber Alerts or traffic information.

(emphasis added)

I wonder how much California drivers would really like driving around an electronic billboard for business?

This also leads to some interesting problems down the road. Say someone decides to hack that electronic license plate, or the network that delivers things like the messages. You could have havoc as everyone ends up with the same plate number. The current plates are almost impossible to alter, but these? Well they would be a piece of cake.

Yeah – this is one of the most ludicrous ideas I have ever heard.