Senate Bill S757A

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S757A

SPONSOR: RITCHIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in
relation to authorizing distinctive license plates for recipients of the
Bronze or Silver star

 
PURPOSE:

To provide distinctive license plates which recognize veterans who have
earned the Bronze Star or the Silver Star.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new section 404-ee to the Vehicle and Traffic Law to
provide distinctive license plates for Bronze or Silver star recipients.
The distinctive plate is to be issued upon proof, authorized by the
Commissioner, which will assure that the applicant is a Bronze or Silver
Star recipient and shall bear the words "Bronze Star Recipient" or
"Silver Star Recipient." The distinctive plate is to be issued in the
same manner as other number plates upon payment of a regular registra-
              

tion fee, with an additional one time service charge of $10 to be
charged for such plates. One year after the effective date, funds in the
amount of $5,000, or so much as may be available, will be allocated to
the department to offset the costs associated with the production of the
license plates.

Section 2 provides, that distinctive plates issued pursuant to this new
section shall only be designed, produced, and issued, up on the delivery
to the Department of Motor Vehicles of a surety bond in the amount of
$6,000, which shall be executed by a surety company authorized y the
Department of Financial Services to transact business in this state.
Provided, however that if the commissioner shall have received 200
orders for such distinctive plate together with the additional annual
service charge, no such surety bond is required. All service charges
collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited pursuant to the
provisions of Section 404-oo to the credit of the Department of Motor
Vehicles Distinctive Plate Development Fund. This section also provides
for the discontinuance of surety bonds if 200 or more sets of plates are
sold in the series during the two year following the date upon which the
plates were first made available for sale. If fewer than 200 sets of
plates are sold during the first two years of sale, the Department of
Motor Vehicles shall be entitled to recover against the bond an in
amount proportionate to such shortfall.

Section 3 provides the effective date.

 
EXISTING LAW:

Article 14 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law relates to the registration of
motor vehicles. The enumerated sections of this article provide for
distinctive license plates and the registration and issuance of license
plates based on particular circumstances.

Section 404 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law provides for the issuance of
special license plates. This section provides the commissioner may issue
special number plates to applicants therefor in the same manner as other
number plates are issued pursuant to this article. Such special number
plates shall be issued only upon payment of an annual service charge of
thirty-one dollars and twenty-five cents in addition to the regular fee
prescribed by section 401 of this article.

Section 404(1-a) of the Vehicle and Traffic Law further provides for the
issuance of special number plates to applicants who are members of
veterans organizations. These plate shall be issued in the same manner
as other plates, but shall be issued only upon (a) payment of the
onetime service charge of $10 in addition to the regular registration
fee

Section 404-oo of the Vehicle and Traffic Law provides for the deposit
of service charges for distinctive license plates to the Department of
Motor Vehicles Distinctive Plate Development Fund established pursuant
to the State Finance Law and shall be used for the production, design,
advertising, and distribution of such distinctive license plates estab-
lished pursuant to this article on or after the effective date of this
section.

Section 95-g of the State Finance Law establishes the Department of
Motor Vehicles Distinctive Plate Development Fund consisting of all
revenues received pursuant to the provisions of Section 404-oo of the
Vehicle and Traffic Law and all money appropriated, credits, or trans-
ferred thereto from any other fund or source pursuant to law.  Moneys of
the fund are expended only for the design, production, advertising, and
distribution of distinctive license plates established pursuant to Arti-
cle 14 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The Bronze Star is awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious
service, and is the 9th highest United States armed forces decoration.
The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of
the United States and is the 3rd highest United States armed forces
decoration.

This legislation will honor these veterans with a distinctive license
plate that would enable members of the public to identify these heroes,
and to accord them recognition and honor.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2015-2016: S.1832-A
2013-2014: S.4198/A.1631
2011-2012: S.5229/A.1957
2007-2008: S.7812/A.10739

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided however, that section 1
of this act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have
become law; and provided further, that effective immediately, the addi-
tion, 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.