What's happening
This bill creates a new "Legion of Valor" license plate for certain military medal recipients in New York, waiving registration fees.
Why it matters
Honors distinguished military service. by recognizing recipients of the nation’s highest valor awards (including Medal of Honor and various military crosses) with a unique license plate, publicly acknowledging their sacrifice and bravery.
Removes financial barriers. for these veterans by waiving all vehicle registration fees and service charges typically associated with specialized plates, ensuring that cost does not prevent eligible individuals from receiving this recognition.
Includes safeguards for state resources. by requiring either a $6,000 surety bond or at least 200 preorders before the plate program is launched, protecting the state from financial loss related to the production of low-demand plates.
May foster increased public awareness and respect. for the achievements of decorated veterans, potentially strengthening community appreciation for military service and valor within New York.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Honor Plates for Valor Heroes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 4609a
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- Referred 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 Valor Recipients
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Kenneth Blankenbush
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4609--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 21, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GRIFFO, RITCHIE, TEDISCO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- recommitted to the Committee on Transportation in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- 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 distinctive plates for legion of valor recipients
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-z to read as follows:
§ 404-z. Distinctive plates for legion of valor recipients. 1. Any person who is a recipient of the army medal of honor, navy medal of honor, air force medal of honor, army distinguished service cross, navy cross, coast guard cross, or air force cross residing in this state shall, upon request, be issued a license plate bearing the words "legion of valor" and depicting the individual's military award decal. 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 herein shall be issued upon proof, satisfactory to the commissioner, that the applicant is an army medal of honor, navy medal of honor, air force medal of honor, army distinguished service cross, navy cross, coast guard cross, or air force cross recipient.
3. A distinctive plate issued pursuant to this section shall be issued in the same manner as other number plates, provided, however, that no registration fee or service charge shall be charged for such plate.
§ 2. 1. A distinctive plate established pursuant to section 404-z 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 a surety bond in the amount of six thousand dollars, which shall
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09824-02-8
S. 4609--A 2
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, such department 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 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, in relation to distinctive plates for legion of valor recipients
Purpose
Authorizes the issuance of distinctive legion of valor license plates.
Summary of provisions
Amends the vehicle and traffic law to establish the "Legion of Valor" license plate for Medal of Honor and Service Cross recipients and provides that no registration and/or service fee will be charged for the issuance of such plates. Provides an immediate effective date with provisions.
Justification
The "Legion of Valor' license plates commemorate the men and women of our nation's Armed Forces who have received some of the highest honors from their respective military branches. New York State should continue to recognize the brave individuals who went beyond the call of duty.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately; however, section 1 will take effect 180 days after it becomes law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.