BILL NUMBER: S5657
SPONSOR: RIVERA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to creating a
distinctive license plate for veterans honoring Borinqueneers
 
PURPOSE:
To create a distinctive license that would honor The Borinqueneers of
the 65th Infantry Regiment.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new section
404-ff, which allows upon request for any veteran or the spouse of any
such veteran to be issued a distinctive Borinqueneers license plate. A
definition of "veteran" is included for the purposes of this section and
provides that the distinctive plate is issued in the same manner as
other number plates upon payment of a regular registration fee and an
additional one-time service charge of $25. Nothing in this section shall
require the commissioner to issue a Borinqueneers license plate unless
the aggregate amount of annual service charges are deemed sufficient to
cover costs associated with such plates' design and manufacture.
Section 2 provides that a distinctive Borinqueneers license plate shall
be produced upon a $6,000 surety bond delivered to the Department of
Motor Vehicles (DMV), provided that the commissioner of the DMV has
received at least 200 orders for such plates prior to plate design and
issuance. The commissioner shall retain a non-refundable additional
annual service charge before the design and issuance of such plates. All
service charges shall be deposited to the credit of the DMV distinctive
plate development fund and used for the design and distribution of such
distinctive plates. If fewer than 200 plates are sold two years after
they are made available for sale, the bond shall be discontinued.
Section 3 provides for the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Borinqueneers (referring to "Borinquen," Puerto Rico's precolonial
name) of the 65th Infantry Regiment, composed largely of Puerto Rican
soldiers, provided valiant military efforts for the United States in
World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. For their sacrifices, the
regiment has been awarded 10 Distinguished Service Crosses (one was
upgraded to the Medal of Honor), 256 Silver Stars, 606 Bronze Stars, and
2,771 Purple Hearts.
Members of the Borinqueneer regiment endured years of unfair treatment
and discrimination while fighting for the United States, even after
gallant efforts had earned them numerous combat distinctions.
The regiment's illustrious legacy has begun to receive the commendation
it deserves. In 2014, President Barack Obama signed bills H.R. 1726 and
S. 1174 awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th U.S. Army
Infantry Regiment. In 2016, the regiment was awarded a Congressional
Gold Medal and it was unveiled in Congress' Emancipation Hall. Now,
April 13 is officially recognized as "National Borinqueneers Day,"
recognizing "the bravery, service, and sacrifice" of the 65th Infantry
Regiment.
This bill would effectively cement the legacy and history of The
Borinqueneers through a distinctive license plate that would not only
honor the sacrifices made by the members of the regiment but would also
serve as a commemorative display for their resiliency in the face of
prejudice and tribulation.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022: S6699/A7775 Rivera JD
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.