Authorizes creation of Woman Veteran license plates.
Impact
Upon approval, the legislation mandates an application fee of $50 and a subsequent annual renewal fee of $10. Fees collected from the license plates will be deposited into a dedicated fund, the 'Woman Veteran License Plate Fund.' This fund will be used to finance various programs beneficial to female veterans, including grants designated for providing shelter to homeless female veterans. Importantly, state funds cannot be used for the initial implementation costs; instead, private contributions are required to offset these expenses.
Summary
Bill A1906 seeks to create a special 'Woman Veteran' license plate program in New Jersey, allowing female veterans to display their service on their vehicle's registration. The license plate will bear the words 'Woman Veteran,' accompanied by standard vehicle registration markings. To apply for these plates, individuals must provide proof of their veteran status through their DD-214 form or other appropriate documentation. This initiative underscores a recognition of the contributions and sacrifices made by female service members.
Contention
The bill stipulates that the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission must verify that the average annual cost of producing the license plates does not exceed the established fees. If it does, the program may be discontinued. Furthermore, no design, production, or publicity of the plates can begin until at least 500 applications have been submitted, which could delay the program's launch. This aspect of the legislation may lead to discussions regarding its viability and the level of interest among potential applicants.