What's happening
This bill authorizes New York to issue distinctive license plates for conspicuous service cross recipients and their spouses.
Why it matters
Honors military distinction and family. By allowing both recipients of the Conspicuous Service Cross and their spouses to obtain special plates, the bill publicly recognizes and honors not only the individual’s military service but also their family’s role.
Limited issuance and exclusivity. The plates are only available either to the recipient or the spouse (not both for the same award), emphasizing the significance and exclusivity of the recognition, and preventing dilution of the honor.
Cost and administrative safeguards. The bill imposes a one-time $10 service charge and requires either a surety bond or a minimum threshold of 200 pre-orders to offset production costs, ensuring the program is financially viable and doesn’t burden taxpayers.
Supports DMV innovation. The collected fees are funneled into a dedicated fund for the design, advertising, and distribution of distinctive plates, potentially supporting broader DMV modernization and special recognition initiatives.
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Who cares
New York conspicuous service cross recipients
The bill would let them request plates bearing “conspicuous service cross recipient” for the regular registration fee plus a one-time $10 charge.
Spouses of conspicuous service cross recipients
They could apply with proof of their spouse’s award, but could not receive a plate if one is issued to the recipient.
Department of Motor Vehicles
The agency would verify eligibility and design, produce and issue the plates only after receiving a $6,000 surety bond or at least 200 prepaid orders.
Authorized surety companies
They could provide the required bond, which DMV could draw against proportionately if fewer than 200 plate sets sell within two years of becoming available.
Headline styles
Special Plates for Service Medal
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Signed chap.232
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.352
- Substituted for A8005A
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 63–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1426
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 2564c
Show 6 earlier actions
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- Print number 2564b
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- Print number 2564a
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Honor Plates for Veterans
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2564--C
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 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to authorizing distinctive license plates for recipients of the conspicuous service cross
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 conspicuous service cross recipients. 1. Any conspicuous service cross recipient residing in this state or the spouse of any such recipient shall, upon request, be issued a license plate bearing the words "conspicuous service cross recipient". If a distinctive plate is issued to a conspicuous service cross recipient pursuant to this section, such a distinctive plate shall not be issued to the spouse of such conspicuous service cross recipient. Application for said license plate shall be filed with the commissioner in such form and detail as the commissioner shall prescribe.
2. The distinctive plate authorized in subdivision one of this section shall be issued upon proof, satisfactory to the commissioner, that the applicant or the spouse of the applicant is a conspicuous service cross recipient.
3. A distinctive plate issued pursuant to this section shall be issued in the same manner as other number plates upon payment of the regular registration fee prescribed by section four hundred one of this article;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00264-04-7
S. 2564--C 2
provided, however, that an additional, one-time service charge of ten dollars shall be charged for such plate.
§ 2. 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 of at least two hundred orders for such distinctive plate together with the additional one-time service charge applicable to each such order, which shall be non-refundable, no such surety bond shall be required. All service charges collected pursuant to this section 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.
§ 3. 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 are 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, in relation to authorizing distinctive license plates for recipients of the conspicuous service cross
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue distinctive license plates for recipients of the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross.
Summary of specific provisions
The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 404-y authorizing the issuance of distinctive plates for conspicuous service cross recipients.
Justification
The award of the Conspicuous Service Cross is based on a prior military decoration award. Conspicuous Service Cross recipients are combat veterans who served their country with valor. Many of these veterans were wounded in battle while defending our country. It is only fitting to allow special recognition for their courage as they faced such danger defending our freedom.
Prior legislative history
2015-2016: S.8179 - Died in Rules/A.4454 died in Veterans' Affairs 2013-2014: A.4927 - Died in Veterans' Affairs 2011-2012: A.1091 - Died in Veterans' Affairs/S.235 Died in Transportation 2009-2010: A.5206 - Died in Veterans' Affairs/S.4968 Died in Transportation 2007-2008: A.6760 - Died in Veterans' Affairs/S.498 Died in Transportation 2005-2006: A.243-B - Passed Assembly 2003-2004: A.4670-A - Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
Immediately, provided however that, section one of this act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become 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 are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.