You asked how a nonprofit group can arrange to obtain association license plates under CGS § 14-19a.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

CGS § 14-19a requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to adopt regulations for the issuance of special vehicle registrations and license plates to qualifying organizations. The regulations must set (1) standards for issuing these plates and registration; (2) qualifications for the organizations seeking them; (3) application procedures; and (4) application fees, which must at least cover the entire cost of making the special plate and are in addition to normal registration fees.

ELIGIBLE GROUPS

Under the regulations (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 14-19a-1 et seq. ), to qualify for the special registrations and plates, an organization must (1) be a non-profit, as specified in its charter or bylaws and an Internal Revenue Service ruling and (2) have its headquarters or base of operations in Connecticut. If the organization is a branch of an international, national, or regional group, it must be in good standing with the parent organization and be authorized by the parent organization to use its symbol.

The applicant organization's primary purpose must be improvement of the community through health, education, or general welfare programs and the organization cannot merely be organized for social activities. This requirement does not apply to veterans', police, and firefighters' organizations; municipal corporations; and similar public service organizations. In addition, the DMV commissioner, in his sole discretion, can authorize the issuance of special plates for an organization that consists entirely of volunteer members and that provides significant community service. An organization, association, or trade group whose primary purpose is to advertise or promote commerce is not eligible for the special plates.

An eligible organization must guarantee that its members will order at least 400 special license plates.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The organization must designate one of its officers as a contact person. The contact person must submit to DMV a distinctive emblem that will appear on the plate. The group must have the right to use the emblem and legend (wording) it proposes to use on the plate. The legend may not:

1. be obscene;

2. promote, advertise or endorse a product, brand, or service offered for sale;

3. promote any specific religious belief: or

4. infringe or otherwise violate a trademark, trade name, service mark, copyright, or other proprietary right or property right.

If the commissioner denies the application, he must explain why in writing. He can revoke an approval if an organization becomes ineligible for the special plates. He can also require the officers of an approved organization to submit additional proof of its qualifications if he has reliable information that the organization may no longer be qualified.

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