What's happening
This bill creates a new "Gold Star Father" license plate for fathers and spouses of fallen service members in New York.
Why it matters
Recognizes the Sacrifice of Gold Star Fathers. By creating a specific license plate, the bill publicly acknowledges the unique loss experienced by fathers (and their spouses) of fallen service members, offering a visible symbol of their sacrifice and service to the country.
Extends Recognition Beyond Mothers. Previously, special recognition (such as "Gold Star Mother" plates) often focused on mothers. This bill ensures that fathers and their spouses receive equal visibility and honor from the state.
No Extra Fee for Honorees. The bill waives any additional service charge for Gold Star Father license plates, removing potential financial barriers and signaling that this recognition is a right, not a privilege to be purchased.
Supports Community and Awareness. The presence of these plates on the road can increase public awareness about military family sacrifices and create opportunities for community support and acknowledgment for bereaved families.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Gold Star Father License Plates
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 3
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.951
- 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.
Gold Star Father License Plates
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Michael G. Miller
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
958
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 5, 2017
Introduced by Sens. CROCI, DeFRANCISCO, GALLIVAN, HANNON, LARKIN, MARCHIONE, SEWARD -- 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, in relation to establishing distinctive number plates for gold star fathers
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-ii to read as follows:
§ 404-ii. Distinctive plates for gold star fathers. 1. Any gold star father or the spouse of a gold star father residing in this state shall, upon request, be issued a license plate bearing the words "gold star father". If a distinctive plate is issued to a gold star father pursuant to this section, additional distinctive plates may be issued for every vehicle registered in the name of the gold star father recipient residing in this state or the spouse of such gold star father. 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 pursuant to this section shall be issued upon proof, satisfactory to the commissioner, that the applicant or the spouse of the applicant is a gold star father.
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, provided, however, that no service charge shall be charged for such plate.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01742-01-7
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 establishing distinctive number plates for gold star fathers
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would authorize the issuance of distinctive license plates for gold star fathers.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of this bill amends the vehicle and Traffic Law by providing that any Gold Star Father wishing to have a Gold Star Fathers license plate shall be issued one. Subsection'2 of this bill requires that the applicant or the spouse of the applicant show proof of being a Gold Star Father before a license plate can be issued to the applicant. Subsection 3 of this bill states that the fee of the Gold Star Fathers license plate shall be the same as that of the Gold Star Mothers license plate and no service charge will be applied to the purchase of the Gold Star Fathers plate.
Justification
The membership of American Gold Star Fathers, Inc. is comprised of Amer- ican Fathers who lost a son or daughter during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Beirut, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, all Strategic Areas, the War on Terror, or while in service to our country. In 1991 New York State introduced a distinctive license plate for New York State Gold Mothers.
Circumstances have arisen where a father of a fallen soldier has not been able to secure a distinctive license plate to honor their child. This bill would eliminate this unnecessary situation and add the option of a Gold Star Father plate alongside the Gold Star Mother plate and the Gold Star Family Plate.
Prior legislative history
S6586 of 2015/16: Passed in the Senate
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Minimal.
Effective date
This bill shall take effect 90 days 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.