Authorizes the issuance of distinctive "West Indian-American Day Carnival" license plates

1 Co-sponsor

• Ruth Hassell-Thompson

BILL NUMBER:S8266

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the state finance law, in relation to issuing "West Indian American Day Carnival" distinctive license plates

Purpose or general idea of bill

To provide an opportunity for New Yorkers to show cultural pride in their West Indian heritage through the purchase of the distinctive West Indian American Day Carnival license plate from which a portion of the fees will go to the Annual West Indian-American Day Carnival.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new section 404-x authorizing the issuance of distinctive license plates in recognition of the "West Indian American Day Carnival".

Subdivision 1 provides for the issuance of a distinctive "West Indian American Day Carnival" license plate to be issued upon an application prescribed and filed with the commissioner.

Subdivision 2 provides for a service charge of $25.00 in addition to the regular registration fee prescribed by law. Such fee shall be deposited to the credit of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association fund to be used in support of the annual West Indian American Day parade and carnival produced by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association. Additionally, the deposits shall not be used in lieu of funding sources, but in addition to, provided that one year immediately after the effective date of this section, funds in the amount of $5,000, or as much as may be available, will be allocated to the department from such fund to offset costs associated with the production of the license plates.

Amends the state finance law by adding a new section 97-gggg which: 1. Establishes the West Indian American Day Carnival Association fund to be held in the joint custody of the state comptroller and the commissioner of taxation and finance.

2. Requires all moneys collected and spent for the fund to be governed by section four hundred four-x of the vehicle and traffic law (above).

3. Requires the money to be expended only for the actual costs of producing the annual West Indian American Day parade and carnival by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, exclusive of administrative expenses.

Justification

The West Indian American Day Carnival staged each Labor Day down Eastern parkway in Brooklyn has generated significant revenue for New york city and New York State. Many people from across the nation come to New York to take part in the celebration of cultural pride that is so joyously displayed during the carnival and parade. The issuance of a license plate in recognition of this significant event which brings a million or more people together each Labor Day has great merit.

The West Indian American Day Carnival Association has been the prime sponsor of the carnival and parade for several years. The authorization of the West Indian American Day carnival license plate will create a new and reliable source of revenue from which both the state and the Carnival Association will benefit.

Prior legislative history

2006-08: A.5158 2005-06: A.4055-B 2003-04: A.11095

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that any rules and regulations required to implement the foregoing provisions of this act shall be promulgated on or before such date.