Senate Bill S10699

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   10699
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                            September 11, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  LANZA  -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
 
 AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing
   distinctive "In God We Trust" license plates
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, 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 "IN GOD WE TRUST" LICENSE PLATES. 1. ANY  PERSON
 RESIDING  IN  THIS  STATE SHALL, UPON REQUEST, BE ISSUED A LICENSE PLATE
 BEARING THE WORDS "IN GOD WE TRUST". 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 THE PAYMENT OF THE  REGU-
 LAR  REGISTRATION  FEE  PRESCRIBED  IN  SECTION FOUR HUNDRED ONE OF THIS
 ARTICLE, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT AN ADDITIONAL ANNUAL SERVICE CHARGE  OF
 TWENTY-FIVE 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-
 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 devel-
 opment fund established by section 95-g of the  state  finance  law  and
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD16347-01-6
              

 S. 10699                            2
 
 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. 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  to  be
 made and completed on or before such effective date.