What's happening
This bill authorizes the creation of specialty license plates for retired New York State legislators, with certain eligibility requirements and fees.
Why it matters
Establishes eligibility restrictions. Only retired New York State legislators with no relevant felony or job-related misdemeanor convictions can receive the specialty plate, potentially preventing those with records of misconduct from publicly identifying as retired legislators.
Creates an additional cost structure. Applicants must pay both the standard registration fee and a $25 annual service charge, which could limit participation and generate modest state revenue earmarked for plate design and production.
Includes financial safeguards for plate production. Requires a $6,000 surety bond (unless at least 200 prepaid orders are received), protecting the state from losses if there is insufficient demand for the plates.
Imposes a minimum demand threshold. If fewer than 200 plates are sold within two years, the state can recover costs from the bond, ensuring that public funds are not wasted on an unpopular or underused specialty plate program.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Special Plates for Retired Legislators
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Recommit, enacting clause stricken
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3787
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 14, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GRIFFO -- 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 the issuance of specialty plates for retired members of the New York state legislature
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-ff to read as follows:
§ 404-ff. Distinctive plates for retired members of the New York state legislature. 1. Any retired member of the New York state legislature residing in this state shall, upon request, be issued a license plate bearing the words "Retired NYS Legislator". Application for said license plate shall be filed with the commissioner in such form and detail as the commissioner shall prescribe, and shall be verified annually by the applicant.
2. The distinctive plate authorized in this section shall be issued upon proof, satisfactory to the commissioner, that the applicant: (a) is a retired member of the New York state legislature; and (b) has not been found guilty of a felony or a misdemeanor for which such felony or misdemeanor had a direct and actual relationship to the performance of such applicant's existing duties during the time in which he or she was a public officer.
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 an additional annual service charge of twentyfive dollars shall be charged for such plate.
§ 2. 1. A distinctive plate established pursuant to section 404-ff 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 depart-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01109-02-9
S. 3787 2
ment 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 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 on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that section two of this act shall take effect immediately; 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 the issuance of specialty plates for retired members of the New York state legislature
Purpose
To allow retired members of the legislature, while residing in the state, to purchase a distinctive license plate bearing the words "Retired NYS Legislator."
Summary of provisions
Section one sets the provisions by which a retired member of the New York State Legislature may purchase a distinctive license plate. In addition to being a retired member of the Legislature, a member must not have been found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor, which had a direct and actual relationship to the performance of such applicant's existing duties during the time in which he or she was a public officer.
Section two describes the establishment of a distinctive license plate.
Section 3 is the effective date.
Justification
Serving in elective office is an honor and a privilege; the ability to represent the people of the state of New York is significant and humbl- ing. This bill would honor the service of retired members of the state Legislature by allowing them to purchase, at their own expense, a distinctive license plate bearing the words "Retired NYS Legislator" commemorating their commitment to serve their district and the state.
Legislative history
2018 - S. 8761a - Rules Committee/A. 10796a - Ways and Means Committee.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
180 days.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.