Assembly Bill 290 aims to establish a new special group for individuals who support the protection of pollinators by allowing them to obtain special registration plates from the Department of Transportation (DOT). The bill mandates that these plates feature a design that covers the entire plate and includes the phrase "Protect Pollinators." In addition to the standard registration fee, members of this special group will be required to make a voluntary payment of $25 for the issuance of the plates. The bill specifies that DOT will retain up to $23,700 from these payments to cover initial production costs, with any excess funds being deposited into the conservation fund for use by the Department of Natural Resources in their endangered resources program.

The bill also includes several amendments and new provisions to existing statutes, such as the creation of new sections that outline the financial handling of the voluntary payments and the establishment of the special group under the relevant vehicle registration laws. Notably, it amends existing statutes to include the new special group and adjusts the allocation of funds related to wildlife damage control. The bill is set to take effect on the first day of the 10th month following publication or the second day after the publication of the 2025 biennial budget act, whichever is later.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 20.370(1)(fs), 20.370, 20.395(5)(cj), 20.395, 25.29(1)(f), 25.29, 341.14(6r)(c), 341.14, 341.14(6r)(e), 341.14(6r)(fm)7