Authorizes distinctive license plates for recipients of the Bronze or Silver star

Section 2 provides, that distinctive plates issued pursuant to this new section shall only be designed, produced, and issued, up on the delivery to the Department of Motor Vehicles of a surety bond in the amount of $6,000, which shall be executed by a surety company authorized y the Department of Financial Services to transact business in this state. Provided, however that if the commissioner shall have received 200 orders for such distinctive plate together with the additional annual service charge, no such surety bond is required. All service charges collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited pursuant to the provisions of Section 404-oo to the credit of the Department of Motor Vehicles Distinctive Plate Development Fund. This section also provides for the discontinuance of surety bonds if 200 or more sets of plates are sold in the series during the two year following the date upon which the plates were first made available for sale. If fewer than 200 sets of plates are sold during the first two years of sale, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall be entitled to recover against the bond an in amount proportionate to such shortfall.

Section 3 provides the effective date.

Existing law

Article 14 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law relates to the registration of motor vehicles. The enumerated sections of this article provide for distinctive license plates and the registration and issuance of license plates based on particular circumstances.

Section 404 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law provides for the issuance of special license plates. This section provides,t he commissioner may issue special number plates to applicants therefor in the same manner as other number plates are issued pursuant to this article. Such special number plates shall be issued only upon payment of an annual service charge of thirty-one dollars and twenty-five cents in addition to the regular fee prescribed by section 401 of this article.

Section 404(1-a) of the Vehicle and Traffic Law further provides for the issuance of special number plates to applicants who are members of veterans organizations. These plate shall be issued in the same manner as other plates, but shall be issued only upon (a) payment of the

onetime service charge of $10 in addition to the regular registration fee

Section 404-oo of the Vehicle and Traffic Law provides for the deposit of service charges for distinctive license plates to the Department of Motor Vehicles Distinctive Plate Development Fund established pursuant to the State Finance Law and shall be used for the production, design, advertising, and distribution of such distinctive license plates established pursuant to this article on or after the effective date of this section.

Section 95-g of the State Finance Law establishes the Department of Motor Vehicles Distinctive Plate Development Fund consisting of all revenues received pursuant to the provisions of Section 404-oo of the Vehicle and Traffic Law and all money appropriated, credits, or transferred thereto from any other fund or source pursuant to law. Moneys of the fund are expended only for the design, production, advertising, and distribution of distinctive license plates established pursuant to Article 14 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Justification

The Bronze Star is awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service, and is the 9th highest United States armed forces decoration. The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States and is the 3rd highest United States armed forces decoration.

This legislation will honor these veterans with a distinctive license plate that would enable members of the public to identify these heroes, and to accord them recognition and honor.

Legislative history

2007-2008: S.7812/A.10739; 2011-2012:S.5229/A.1957; 2013-2014: S.4198/A.1631

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately; provided however, that section 1 of this act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become law; and provided further, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.