This bill establishes a special "Support Our Veterans" license plate in New Jersey, with proceeds directed towards supporting homeless veterans centers, specifically Veterans Haven North and South. The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission will oversee the design and issuance of these plates, which will feature an emblem and appropriate wording honoring veterans. An initial application fee of $50, along with a $10 annual renewal fee, will be collected, with the additional funds deposited into a newly created Support Our Veterans License Plate Fund. This fund will be used to support services for veterans and will be appropriated annually to the Veterans Haven Council within the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs.
The bill stipulates that no state funds will be used for the initial costs associated with the production and promotion of the license plates. Instead, the Veterans Haven Council or designated entities must contribute up to $25,000 to cover these costs. The commission is prohibited from moving forward with the design and issuance of the plates until the council provides the necessary funds and at least 500 completed applications. Additionally, if the average cost of producing the plates exceeds the application fee for two consecutive years, the chief administrator has the authority to discontinue the program. The bill will take effect immediately but will remain inoperable until the specified conditions are met, with a one-year expiration if not fulfilled.