This bill authorizes the creation of 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 words honoring veterans. An initial application fee of $50, along with an annual renewal fee of $10, will be collected, with the additional funds deposited into a newly established Support Our Veterans License Plate Fund. This fund will be appropriated annually to the Veterans Haven Council to support services for veterans.
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 its designated entity must contribute up to $25,000 to cover these costs. The commission will not begin the program until it receives this funding and at least 500 completed applications for the plates. 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 they are not satisfied.