An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-746.8 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-746.8:3, relating to special license plates; Virginia REALTORS.
HB1339 creates a new special license plate program for members of Virginia REALTORS and updates an existing statute governing special occupational-association plates. Under the bill, the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles must issue Virginia REALTORS plates to eligible applicants who provide proof of membership and pay the required fees. The bill also preserves previously issued Virginia Realtors plates, allowing them to remain valid until expiration and then be renewed under the new section.
The bill sets an annual plate fee of $25, in addition to the standard state license plate fee. After 1,000 registrations, a portion of the $25 fee is directed to a new nonreverting fund, the Virginia REALTORS License Plates for Relief Fund, which is administered through the Department of Accounts and used to support the Virginia REALTORS Disaster Relief Fund. Those relief funds are intended to provide financial assistance in Virginia locations affected by natural or manmade qualified disasters. Remaining fees are retained to cover DMV administrative costs.
HB1339 amends § 46.2-746.8 of the Code of Virginia and adds § 46.2-746.8:3, expanding the state’s special license plate framework for occupational associations. It specifically authorizes a Virginia REALTORS plate program, establishes eligibility and fee requirements, and creates a dedicated relief fund tied to plate sales. The bill affects the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Accounts, Virginia REALTORS members, and the disaster relief fund supported by the organization.
The available record suggests the bill was noncontroversial and received favorable treatment, as reflected by its enactment as Chapter 300 with no recorded committee opposition or vote history in the provided materials. The measure appears to have been viewed as a straightforward specialty plate authorization with a charitable relief component, which typically draws limited debate. No dissenting views are documented in the supplied transcript or voting information.
No specific points of contention are shown in the provided materials. Potential issues that could arise with bills of this type include whether a professional association should receive a state-authorized plate, how much of the fee should support the organization’s relief fund versus DMV costs, and whether the program should be limited to members of Virginia REALTORS. However, none of those concerns are recorded here as having been raised by legislators or stakeholders.