Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Amended

March 26, 2024

H. 5024

Introduced by Reps. Elliott, Erickson and Bradley

S. Printed 03/26/24--H.                                                                        [SEC 3/27/2024 12:21 PM]

Read the first time February 01, 2024

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statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This amended bill specifies that, upon the death of a member of the National Guard, a surviving spouse may apply to DMV for a National Guard license plate or may apply to transfer a license plate previously issued to a member of the National Guard.  In addition, DMV is authorized to issue "Autistic and Neurodivergent" special license plates to registrants who are autistic or neurodivergent or who are parents of children who are autistic or neurodivergent.  Further, DMV is authorized to issue "South Carolina Association of Pupil Transportation" special license plates.  DMV anticipates that the bill will have no expenditure impact to the agency as any changes can be managed within existing appropriations.

State Revenue

This amended bill specifies that, upon the death of a member of the National Guard, a surviving spouse may apply to DMV for a National Guard license plate or may apply to transfer a license plate previously issued to a member of the National Guard.  National Guard- Army, National Guard- Air, and National Guard- Retired license plates are subject to the regular biennial motor vehicle registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3, Title 56.  The amended bill also specifies that DMV may issue "Autistic and Neurodivergent" and "South Carolina Association of Pupil Transportation" special license plates, which are also subject to the regular biennial motor vehicle registration fee.  The amount of the registration fee varies by age and handicap status of the individual registrant, type and weight of vehicle, and designation of private-passenger or property-carrying.

For the transfer of any license plate, DMV reports that the agency charges a $10 fee, of which $3 is remitted to the General Fund.  It is unknown how many surviving spouses of a National Guard member will apply for or transfer a National Guard license plate.  Therefore, the increase in General Fund revenue is undetermined. 

Pursuant to Section 56-3-260, $16 of each biennial registration fee is currently credited to the Infrastructure Maintenance Trust Fund, which is Other Funds of DOT.  Additionally, $7 of each transfer fee is placed in the State Highway Fund, which is Other Funds of DOT.  Additionally, pursuant to 56-3-1230, $2 of each biennial fee is currently credited to the Plate Replacement Fund, which is Other Funds of DMV.  Further, the remainder of each registration fee is placed into the state highway account of the SCTIB pursuant to Section 56-3-910.  It is unknown how many surviving spouses of a National Guard member will apply for or transfer a National Guard license plate.  It is also unknown how many drivers will request "Autistic and Neurodivergent" and "South Carolina Association of Pupil Transportation" special license plates.  Therefore, the increase in Other Funds revenue of DOT, Other Funds revenue of DMV, and Other Funds revenue of the SCTIB is undetermined.  For reference, as of December 1, 2023, there were 3,257 active National Guard licenses plate registrations.

An additional fee of $25 for the "South Carolina Association for Pupil Transportation" is distributed to the association of the same name.  This special license plate is subject to the provisions of Section 56-3-8100, which requires DMV to receive $6,800 from the organization seeking issuance of the plate before beginning production and issuance.  The full $6,800 is distributed to the State Highway Fund.  Therefore, this portion of the amended bill may increase Other Funds of DOT by at least $6,800, although the total amount of the increase is undetermined, as explained above.

State Expenditure

This bill specifies that, upon the death of a member of the National Guard, a surviving spouse may apply to DMV for a National Guard license plate or may apply to transfer a license plate previously issued to a member of the National Guard.  DMV anticipates that the bill will have no expenditure impact to the agency as any changes can be managed within existing appropriations.

State Revenue

This bill specifies that, upon the death of a member of the National Guard, a surviving spouse may apply to DMV for a National Guard license plate or may apply to transfer a license plate previously issued to a member of the National Guard.  National Guard- Army, National Guard- Air, and National Guard- Retired license plates are subject to the regular biennial motor vehicle registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3, Title 56.  The amount of the registration fee varies by age and handicap status of the individual registrant, type and weight of vehicle, and designation of private-passenger or property-carrying.

For the transfer of any license plate, DMV reports that the agency charges a $10 fee, of which $3 is remitted to the General Fund.  It is unknown how many surviving spouses of a National Guard member will apply for or transfer a National Guard license plate.  Therefore, the increase in General Fund revenue is undetermined. 

Pursuant to Section 56-3-260, $16 of each biennial registration fee is currently credited to the Infrastructure Maintenance Trust Fund, which is Other Funds of DOT.  Additionally, $7 of each transfer fee is placed in the State Highway Fund, which is Other Funds of DOT.  Additionally, pursuant to 56-3-1230, $2 of each biennial fee is currently credited to the Plate Replacement Fund, which is Other Funds of DMV.  Further, the remainder of each registration fee is placed into the state highway account of the SCTIB pursuant to Section 56-3-910.  It is unknown how many surviving spouses of a National Guard member will apply for or transfer a National Guard license plate.  Therefore, the increase in Other Funds revenue of DOT, Other Funds revenue of DMV, and Other Funds revenue of the SCTIB is undetermined.  For reference, as of December 1, 2023, there were 3,257 active National Guard licenses plate registrations.

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

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A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-14990, RELATING TO SURVIVING SPOUSEs APPLYing FOR LICENSE PLATEs OR the TRANSFER OF certain LICENSE PLATEs, SO AS TO PROVIDE SURVIVING SPOUSES OF MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD MAY APPLY TO obtain national guard license plates or TRANSFER national guard LICENSE PLATES ISSUED TO THEIR SPOUSES.

    Amend Title To Conform

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.  Section 56-3-14990 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

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