Bill > A03212

This bill creates a new distinctive "Feeling Rural Good" license plate program that allows New York state residents to purchase special license plates for an additional $25 annual service charge. The funds generated from these plates will be used to support rural health care initiatives through a newly established "Feeling Rural Good Health Care Fund". The fund will specifically focus on expanding school-based health programs, improving access to health research and education, expanding broadband access for telehealth, enhancing agricultural medicine and health safety initiatives, and improving healthcare services in rural regions. The bill requires the Commissioner of Health to appoint a five-member rural health care advisory board to recommend funding for specific rural health care projects and mandates an annual public report detailing how the funds were used, including specifics about recipients, award amounts, and purposes. Before the plates can be produced, either a $6,000 surety bond must be provided or at least 200 pre-orders must be received. The legislation aims to support healthcare infrastructure and access in rural New York communities by leveraging a creative funding mechanism through specialty license plates.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A3212