Bill > A3409

Introduced Session

This bill authorizes the creation of temporary Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary commemorative license plates and establishes a public contest to select the design of these commemorative license plates. Specifically, the bill requires the New Jersey Historical Commission, in consultation with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, to establish a license plate design contest in which participants can submit one or more designs for a Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate that represents the State of New Jersey and commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States. In establishing the contest, the New Jersey Historical Commission is required to, at a minimum: (1) develop an application process for participants to submit one or more designs to the New Jersey Historical Commission for the commemorative license plate; (2) review the applications received and select a license plate design; and (3) advertise the opportunity to participate in the license plate design contest. The bill also authorizes the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to create and issue a commemorative temporary Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate using the license plate design selected by the New Jersey Historical Commission. Only one commemorative license plate will be issued per motor vehicle, and the license plate will serve as a decorative license plate, without the inclusion of a registration number. The bill requires the chief administrator to authorize the displaying of the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate on the front of a motor vehicle in place of an alternate license plate for a period of two years beginning on January 1, 2026. In addition to the required motor vehicle registration fees, there is an application fee of $50 and an annual renewal fee of $10 for the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate. After deducting the cost to implement the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate program, the additional fees collected are required to be deposited into the "Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary License Plate Fund," and the funds are to be appropriated annually to the New Jersey Historical Commission to be used to support and preserve Revolutionary War sites throughout New Jersey. The chief administrator is required to annually certify the average cost per commemorative license plate in producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate. The bill also requires that the New Jersey Historical Commission appoint a liaison to represent the New Jersey Historical Commission in all communications with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission regarding the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate. The bill provides that, in addition to any non-public monies contributed by the individual or entity designated by the New Jersey Historical Commission to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, State or other public funds may be used by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for the initial cost of designing, producing, issuing, and publicizing the availability of the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate or any computer programming changes which may be necessary to implement the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate program. The bill also provides that an individual or entity designated by the New Jersey Historical Commission may contribute monies in an amount to be determined by the chief administrator, not to exceed a total of $25,000, to be used to offset the initial costs incurred by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for designing, producing, issuing, and publicizing the availability of the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate, and any computer programming which may be necessary to implement the program. The bill authorizes the New Jersey Historical Commission to receive funds from private sources to be used to offset the initial costs. The bill prohibits the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission from designing, producing, issuing, or publicizing the availability of the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plate, or making any necessary programming changes, until the New Jersey Historical Commission's liaison has provided the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission with a minimum of 500 completed applications for the Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary license plates, upon the availability for purchase of those license plates. The chief administrator is responsible for publicizing the availability of the commemorative license plates on the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission's website. Except for the establishment of the license plate design contest, the provisions of the bill will remain inoperative until the first day of the 13th month after the appropriate number of applications are provided to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The bill expires on the last day of the 12th month after the date of enactment if sufficient applications are not received by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

Committee Categories

Alex Sauickie (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee (on 02/01/2024)

Official Document