BILL NUMBER: S1246
SPONSOR: ADDABBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to creating a
distinctive plate for combat veterans having served in the navy, marine
corps, air force, or coast guard
 
PURPOSE:
To create a distinctive plate for combat veterans having served in the
navy, marine corps, air force, or coast guard.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the vehicle and traffic law by allowing, upon request,
be issued a license plate bearing the words "Air Force Combat Veteran",
"Navy Combat Veteran", "Marine Combat Veteran", "Coast Guard Combat
Veteran". Subdivision 2 requires that the license plate be issued upon
proof that the applicant or their spouse is a combat veteran. Subdivi-
sion 3 imposes a onetime service charge of ten dollars for the plate.
Subdivision 5 states that a special number plate will not be created
into the revenue generated by collected service charges is sufficient to
create such special plates.
Section 2 establishes that only the department of motor vehicles can
design, produce and issue such plates. It also established that the
department of motor vehicles shall be provided with a surety bond of
$6,000 until at least 200 orders for such distinctive plates has been
received. Subdivision 2 establishes that in the case' that fewer than
200 plates are sold, the department of motor vehicles may collect as
much from the bond as the financial shortfalls incurred.
Section 3 establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Combat veterans currently do not have access to such a distinctive
license plate in the state while other states do. This legislation will
enhance the remembrance of our combat veterans by allowing veterans to
select a license plate that they can identify with as well as help citi-
zens and other servicemen and servicewomen alike recognize former combat
veterans. Veterans sacrifice so much to serve our country and keep us
safe, a license plate for combat veterans is the least New York State
can do to honor and thank them for their service.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023: S.6021 - Referred to Senate Transportation Committee.
2024: S.6021 - Referred to Senate Transportation Committee.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately, provided that section one of
this act shall take effect on the one hundred and eightieth day after it
shall have become law.