Bill > A02455

This bill creates a new "No Hate NY" specialty license plate and establishes a corresponding "No Hate NY fund" to support hate crime awareness and prevention programs. Residents of New York can request these distinctive license plates, which will be designed by the Department of Motor Vehicles in cooperation with the State Division of Human Rights. When obtaining these plates, drivers will pay the standard registration fee plus an additional $25 annual service charge. The entire $25 fee will be deposited into the new "No Hate NY fund," which will be jointly managed by the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance and the State Comptroller. The fund can also receive grants, gifts, and bequests. Counties within New York can request and use these funds for local hate crime awareness and prevention programs. If county funds are not used within five years, they will be distributed by the Office of Victim Services as compensation benefits for hate crime victims. The bill requires annual reporting on the fund's usage and aims to ensure that all collected funds are expended within the fiscal year. The license plates will only be produced after either a $6,000 surety bond is delivered or at least 200 pre-orders are received, with the initial design and production costs covered by existing motor vehicle department funds.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2455