What's happening
This bill creates a special D.A.R.E. license plate in New York, with fees supporting drug abuse resistance education programs.
Why it matters
Creates a dedicated funding stream. The bill establishes a special D.A.R.E. fund, ensuring that money raised from license plate fees (beyond initial setup costs) directly supports drug abuse resistance education and outreach, rather than being absorbed into the general state budget.
Encourages public engagement and visibility. By allowing any New York resident to request the D.A.R.E. plate, the program offers a way for individuals to publicly show support for anti-drug education, potentially raising awareness each time these plates are seen on the road.
Imposes financial safeguards and demand thresholds. The law requires either a $6,000 surety bond or at least 200 preorders before the plate is produced, protecting the state from financial loss if there’s insufficient public interest, and ensuring the program is self-sustaining.
Targets law enforcement-led education. Funds from the D.A.R.E. license plate are specifically earmarked for state police-administered education and outreach, reinforcing the role of law enforcement in preventative drug education rather than punitive measures.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create D.A.R.E. License Plate
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2508
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. HELMING -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the state finance law, in relation to creating a distinctive license plate for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 404-y to read as follows:
§ 404-y. Distinctive plates for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. 1. Any person residing in this state shall, upon request, be issued a distinctive Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program license plate. The design of such distinctive plate shall be developed by the commissioner in consultation with the superintendent of state police.
2. A distinctive plate issued pursuant to this section shall be issued in the same manner as other number plates upon the payment of the regular registration fee prescribed by section four hundred one of this article; provided, however, that an additional annual service charge of twenty-five dollars shall be charged for such plate. Such annual service charge shall be deposited pursuant to the provisions of section four hundred four-oo of this article to the credit of the department of motor vehicles distinctive plate development fund established by section ninety-five-g of the state finance law and shall be used for the production, design, advertising and marketing of distinctive license plates pursuant to section ninety-five-g of the state finance law; provided, however, that annual service charges collected in excess of six thousand dollars shall be deposited to the credit of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) fund established pursuant to section ninety-seven-pppp of the state finance law and shall be used for public education and outreach costs related to drug abuse resistance education
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08184-01-7
S. 2508 2
pursuant to section ninety-seven-pppp of the state finance law; provided, however, that one year after the effective date of this section, funds up to a maximum of six thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be available, shall be allocated from such fund to the department to offset costs associated with the production of such license plate.
§ 2. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 97-pppp to read as follows:
§ 97-pppp. Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) fund. 1. There is hereby established in the joint custody of the state comptroller and the commissioner of taxation and finance a special revenue fund to be known as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) fund.
2. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) fund shall consist of moneys received by the state pursuant to section four hundred four-y of the vehicle and traffic law, moneys donated or given to the state, and all other moneys appropriated, credited or transferred thereto from any other fund or source.
3. Moneys of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) fund, shall be made available to the superintendent of state police for public education and outreach program costs related to drug abuse resistance education.
§ 3. 1. A distinctive plate established pursuant to section 404-y of the vehicle and traffic law as added by section one of this act shall only be designed, produced and issued upon the delivery to the department of motor vehicles of a surety bond in the amount of six thousand dollars, which shall be executed by a surety company authorized by the department of financial services to transact business in this state. Provided, however, that if the commissioner of motor vehicles shall have received prior to plate design, production and issuance at least two hundred orders for such distinctive plate together with the additional annual service charge applicable to each such order, which shall be non-refundable, no such surety bond shall be required. All such service charges shall be deposited pursuant to the provisions of section 404-oo of the vehicle and traffic law to the credit of the department of motor vehicles distinctive plate development fund established by section 95-g of the state finance law and shall be used for the design, production, advertising and distribution of distinctive license plates in accordance with such section 95-g.
2. If, upon the expiration of two years following the date upon which distinctive plates in the series are first available for sale two hundred or more sets of such plates are sold, a bond delivered pursuant to this section shall be discontinued. If fewer than two hundred sets of such plates are sold by such time, the department of motor vehicles shall be entitled to recover against the bond in an amount proportionate to such shortfall.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that section one of this act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided further, however, 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 is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the state finance law, in relation to creating a distinctive license plate for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to provide any person residing in this state, upon request, a distinctive Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) license plate.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 404-y.
Section 2. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 97-pppp.
Justification
Distinctive plates will help expand the public's awareness of the D.A.R.E. program in New York State.
The D.A.R.E. program and comprehensive (17 lesson) elementary school curriculum was designed by health and substance abuse educators. Rather than relying on the traditional scare tactic approach to dissuade children from drug abuse, the DARE strategy focused on assisting children with development of the "life skills" (i.e., decision-making, risk identification, peer pressure-resistance) to make well informed decisions-even beyond avoiding drug abuse (i.e., personal safety, resisting conflicts and violence). Close collaboration between educators, law enforcement, parents, and others; demanding instructor training; and focusing efforts on the transition period between elementary and junior high school were also essential elements of DARE strategy from the beginning.
Prior legislative history
S,8013A of 2006, S.595 of 2007/2008, S.2395 of 2009/2010, S.461A of 2011/2012, S.4938 of 2013/2014; S.1956-A of 2015/2016
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become law; provided, however, that any rule or regulation required to implement the foregoing provisions of this act shall be promulgated on or before such effective date.
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