Creates the New York state veterans remembrance license plate

1 Co-sponsor

• William J. Larkin Jr.

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to creating the New York state veterans remembrance license plate

Purpose or general idea of bill

Section 1: Any veteran or spouse of a veteran, who resides in this State shall upon request, be issued a license plate bearing the words "NYS Veterans Remembrance." Application for the license plate shall be filed with the commissioner of Motor Vehicles in such form and detail as the Commissioner shall prescribe.

Section 2: The distinctive plate shall be issued upon proof, satisfactory to the Commissioner of Motor vehicles.

Section 3: An additional annual service charge of twenty-five dollars shall be charged for the distinctive plate. The annual charge shall be deposited to the distinctive plate development fund and shall be used for the production, design, advertising and marketing of the "NYS Veterans Remembrance" distinctive license plates. Annual service charges collected in excess of six thousand dollars shall be deposited to the veterans remembrance and cemetery maintenance operation fund.

Justification

We have no greater obligation than to honor and thank our veterans for the countless sacrifices they have made to protect our freedom and defend our Nation. Those who have borne the cost for our freedom deserve a place of dignity as their final resting place.

This legislation creates the opportunity to honor those veterans who have given so much for our freedom by supporting the New York State Veterans Remembrance and Cemetery Maintenance Operation Fund, which is a critical first step to establishing a New York State Veterans' Cemetery.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs State Cemetery program has helped establish, expand and improve veterans cemeteries in 42 states and territories. New York has never participated in this federally-sponsored program. Recently enacted legislation allows New York to join this federally recognized State Veterans cemetery program and receive badly needed financial support. But first, the veterans remembrance and cemetery maintenance operation fund must raise the necessary funds.

This legislation establishes an additional revenue sources for the veterans remembrance and cemetery maintenance operation fund by using the revenue generated by the "NYS Veterans Remembrance" license plates. This fund is an important first step in the process to designate specific areas in New York State for a State Veterans cemetery.

Just as our veterans recognized their duty to honor and serve their Nation, we too must recognize our duty as Americans to honor the profound sacrifices they made so that we can live our lives in freedom. These distinctive plates will help serve as an important reminder of their important sacrifice.

Prior legislative history

S.7122 of 2014

Effective date

This act shall take effect on April 1st next succeeding the date it becomes a law.