Authorizes special license plates for members of the United States Coast Guard.
Impact
The implementation of A1436 establishes a new fund, the 'United States Coast Guard License Plate Fund', which will be utilized for expenses related to the production and issuance of these specialty plates. Fees collected from the license plates, after administrative costs, will be appropriated to the USCG annually, aiming to support their programs. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that no state or public funds will be allocated for the initial costs of the program; the USCG is responsible for providing up to $25,000 to offset these costs.
Summary
Assembly Bill A1436 seeks to authorize the issuance of special license plates for current and former members of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), as well as for their spouses and parents. The license plates will feature the USCG Seal and will be designed in consultation with the USCG. The bill details the procedures for application, including proof of service and associated fees. Specifically, there is an application fee of $50 and an annual renewal fee of $10 that will be collected in addition to standard motor vehicle registration fees.
Contention
A notable point within the bill is its contingency on the collection of a minimum of 500 applications before the Motor Vehicle Commission can proceed with designing and issuing the plates. The licensing program also faces the condition that if the average cost per plate exceeds $50 for two consecutive fiscal years, the chief administrator is authorized to discontinue the program. This aspect could raise concerns regarding the financial viability of the initiative, particularly in terms of public interest and demand.
Additional_provisions
Overall, A1436 is framed not only as a tool for honoring USCG members but also as a way to engage the community's support through financial contributions. It mandates the creation of protocols between the USCG and the Motor Vehicle Commission to ensure smooth administration. The bill's specific requirement that the issuance begins only after proper financing and sufficient applications might serve as a safeguard against inefficiencies but could also delay or complicate the program's launch.