What's happening
This bill creates a special "Appalachian Trail" license plate in New York, including a $25 annual service charge.
Why it matters
Supports Outdoor and Trail Advocacy. By creating a special Appalachian Trail license plate, the bill raises the profile of one of the nation’s most famous hiking trails, potentially increasing awareness and fostering a sense of community among outdoor enthusiasts in New York.
Generates Dedicated Funding. The $25 annual service charge for these plates is earmarked for the design, production, advertising, and distribution of distinctive plates, ensuring that the program is self-sustaining and doesn’t divert general state funds.
Ensures Financial Protection for the State. The requirement for a $6,000 surety bond (unless at least 200 pre-orders are secured) minimizes financial risk to the state by ensuring costs are covered if there is insufficient interest in the new plate.
Encourages Community Buy-In. By mandating at least 200 pre-orders or a financial guarantee before production, the bill ensures that only license plate designs with demonstrated public support move forward, preventing wasted resources on unpopular plates.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Appalachian Trail Plates
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A1571B
- Ordered to third reading cal.1484
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 5431a
- 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.
Create Appalachian Trail Plates
Signed by Governor · Sponsor James Skoufis
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5431--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 28, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LARKIN -- 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
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to distinctive "Appalachian Trail" license plates
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 "Appalachian Trail" license plates. 1. Any person residing in this state shall, upon request, be issued a distinctive license plate bearing the words "Appalachian Trail". Application for said license plate shall be filed with the commissioner in such form and detail as the commissioner shall prescribe.
2. 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 provided, however, that an additional annual service charge of twentyfive 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 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 service
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04530-05-7
S. 5431--A 2
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 distinctive "Appalachian Trail" license plates
Purpose
Establishes distinctive "Appalachian Trail" license plates.
Summary of provisions
Section 1-2: Amends the Vehicle and Traffic law by adding a new section 404-y to create a distinctive "Appalachian Trail" license plate.
Section 3: Effective Date
Justification
The Appalachian Trail is a marked footpath which measures roughly 2,180 miles in length and travels through fourteen states. The Appalachian Trail's southern terminus is located in Georgia, while its northern terminus is in Maine. Approximately 88.4 miles of the trail runs through New York.
Several states issue special license plates for the Appalachian Trail. This legislation would create a similar distinctive license plate in New York. These plates will be a great way for New Yorkers to show their appreciation of the Appalachian Trail.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.