You asked for a summary of bills the Transportation Committee reported favorably to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

sSB 102, An Act Requiring the Issuance of United We Stand Commemorative Number Plates

This bill requires the Department of Motor Vehicles, beginning January 1, 2003, to issue a commemorative license plate with a design that enhances public solidarity following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The plates must bear the words "United We Stand" and the image of an American Flag. The DMV commissioner may coordinate a contest for determining the actual plate design.

The bill requires a $ 50 fee for the commemorative plates in addition to any normally required registration fees. The bill creates a special non-lapsing General Fund account for fees collected from the plates. But it authorizes DMV to retain $ 15 of the fee for administrative costs associated with the plate program. Also, DMV may collect additional fees, as it does for other types of license plates, for number plates that contain alphanumeric characters from previously issued plates, low number plates, and vanity plates.

The bill requires 50% of the fees collected for the plates to be distributed quarterly to the U. S. Department of State's "Rewards for Justice" program and requires these funds to be used solely to apprehend terrorists and bring them to justice. The remaining money in the special account must be spent by the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) to give financial support and assistance to former spouses and dependents of those killed as a result of the September 11, attacks.

The DMV commissioner must adopt regulations for implementing the plate program. The bill also authorizes OPM to receive private donations to the "United We Stand" account.

The bill is effective on July 1, 2002.

JJF: eh