BILL NUMBER:A10912

TITLE  OF  BILL:    An  act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the
state finance law, in relation to allowing for a  fee  for  one  license
plate to be issued and displayed on the rear of a vehicle

PURPOSE  OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: The purpose of this bill is to make it
possible for a car owner to pay an annual fee  of  $50.00  in  order  to
display only one license plate on the rear of a registered vehicle. This
annual  fee  would  be paid to the commissioner and placed directly into
the NYS Wireless Telephone Emergency Service  Account  to  help  provide
services and absorb costs of New York State emergency services.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: The bill amends section 1. Subdivision 3
of  section 401 of the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new paragraph
a-1 to read as follows: "Notwithstanding the provisions of  paragraph  a
of  this subdivision upon payment of an additional fee of fifty dollars,
paid annually to the commissioner, the applicant, shall  be  issued  and
receive  one  numbered  plate  to  be displayed on the rear of a vehicle
only. Whenever the term "plates" is used or referred to in this chapter,
it shall be deemed to include one plate as provided in this paragraph."

It would also amend section 97-qq of the state finance law by  adding  a
new  subdivision  3 to read as follows: "All monies gathered pursuant to
subdivision three of section four hundred one of the vehicle and traffic
law shall be deposited exclusively in this account."
              

JUSTIFICATION: Currently, twenty states across the U.S require only  one
plate  per  registered  vehicle.  One  reason  for this is the fact that
requiring only one license plate per car is a money  saving  method  not
only  for  the state but for its citizens as well. By only requiring one
license plate, states cut spending dramatically in  this  area  and  are
able to channel that money to other areas where funds arc scarce. States
like  Texas,  that  have a relatively equal amount of registered drivers
and car owners as New York, found that by only requiring one  plate  per
vehicle,  close  to  three  million dollars could be saved and/ or relo-
cated.

Not only does having one plate save money at state  level  but  it  also
helps  cut  costs  for  those who live within the state. Minor accidents
occur regularly on roads and highways across New York.  Although  minor,
these  accidents can cause "preventable" damage and unnecessary costs to
the citizen, especially in  instances  of  bumper-to-bumper  collisions.
This  is  due  to  the  fact  that upon impact the license plate holding
bracket, located on the front bumper, cracks and dents the other vehicle
as well as possibly breaking itself. Costs for being involved in such an
accident can range from $75 to upwards of a few  hundred,  depending  on
the damage.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New Bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: To be determined. A positive fiscal impact could he
expected from those who wish to pay the annual fifty dollar fee.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately.