Authorizes special Ancient Order of Hibernians license plate.
Impact
A509 establishes a dedicated fund, the Ancient Order of Hibernians License Plate Fund, to manage the fees collected from the issuance of these plates. Notably, this fund will be utilized to finance administrative costs without any reliance on state funds for the initial production and promotion of these plates. Any remaining funds after covering costs are to be appropriated each year to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, promoting local community engagement and support.
Summary
Bill A509 proposes the authorization of special license plates for the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a fraternal organization. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission's Chief Administrator will oversee the design and issuance of these plates, which will include a designated emblem and appropriate slogans. Applicants for these plates must pay an initial fee of $50 in addition to regular vehicle registration fees, with an annual renewal fee of $10 thereafter. The bill aims to both honor the organization and generate funds to support its activities.
Contention
There are notable requirements attached to the implementation of this bill. The commission is prohibited from moving forward until the organization provides funds to cover initial setup costs and submits at least 500 applications for the license plates. This provision may raise concerns regarding the potential viability of such a program depending on public interest and participation. Furthermore, if the average cost of producing these plates exceeds the application fee for two consecutive years, the Chief Administrator is authorized to discontinue the offering of these special plates.