SB 211-FN-A – AS INTRODUCED
2007 SESSION
03/09
SENATE BILL 211-FN-A
AN ACT establishing a veterans’ programs number plate trust fund and a special veterans’ programs license plate, to support state veterans’ programs.
SPONSORS: Sen. Kenney, Dist 3; Sen. Barnes, Dist 17; Sen. Clegg, Dist 14; Rep. Graham, Hills 18; Rep. Marshall Quandt, Rock 13; Rep. Matthew Quandt, Rock 13; Rep. Coughlin, Hills 4; Rep. Crane, Hills 21
COMMITTEE: Transportation and Interstate Cooperation
This bill establishes a veterans’ programs number plate trust fund, which is funded by fees for a veterans’ programs license plate established by this bill. Moneys from the fund are to be used solely for appropriations to the veterans’ home, the state veterans cemetery, the state veterans council, and other state programs for veterans.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
07-1263
03/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven
AN ACT establishing a veterans’ programs number plate trust fund and a special veterans’ programs license plate, to support state veterans’ programs.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Veterans’ Programs Number Plates; Veterans’ Programs Number Plate Trust Fund. Amend RSA 261 by inserting after section 97-f the following new subdivision:
Veterans’ Programs Number Plates and Veterans’ Number Plate Trust Fund
261:97-g Veterans’ Programs Number Plates.
I. The director is hereby authorized to issue special veterans’ programs number plates, in lieu of other number plates. The design of these special plates shall be determined as provided in RSA 261:97-i. The plates shall retain the “live free or die” motto. Such plates shall be issued only upon application and upon payment of a $25 fee that shall be in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee and any other number plate fees otherwise required.
II. The commissioner is also authorized to issue vanity veterans’ programs number plates. The fee for any such vanity veterans’ programs number plate shall be the fee as provided in RSA 261:97-g, in addition to the fees for vanity plates which are otherwise established by law. The vanity plate portion of the fee shall be distributed as provided in RSA 261:89 and RSA 263:52.
III. Plates shall be renewed on an annual basis for $25 per set. Of this sum, the department shall retain an amount as is necessary to recover production and administrative costs as approved by the fiscal committee of the general court. The remaining funds shall be paid to the state treasurer and distributed as provided in RSA 261:97-h. The cost of replacement number plates shall be identical to the cost of initial number plates and the revenue from replacement number plates shall be distributed in the same manner as revenue derived from initial number plates.
261:97-h Veterans’ Programs Number Plate Trust Fund. There is hereby established a veterans’ programs number plate trust fund under the administration of the state treasurer. The fund shall be available solely for appropriations to the New Hampshire veterans’ home, the New Hampshire state veterans cemetery, the state veterans council, and state programs for veterans.
261:97-i New Hampshire Veterans’ Programs Number Plate Advisory Committee; Duties; Meetings.
I. A New Hampshire veterans’ programs number plate advisory committee is hereby established. The veterans’ programs number plate advisory committee shall be composed of the following:
(a) The adjutant general or designee.
(b) The director of the state veterans council, or designee.
(c) A designee of the board of managers of the New Hampshire veterans’ home.
(d) The commissioner of safety, or designee.
(e) Three house members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(f) Three senators appointed by the president of the senate.
II. The first appointed house member shall act as chairperson of the committee.
III. The committee shall:
(a) Jointly determine the plate design with final approval by the commissioner of safety. The commissioner of safety shall establish a numbering system and method of distribution.
(b) Register the design with the secretary of state. The commissioner of safety, with the approval of the governor and council, shall have the authority to enter into contractual arrangements for the commercial use of the veterans’ programs plate design. Any royalties derived from such contracts shall be deposited into the veterans’ programs trust fund created under RSA 261:97-h.
(c) Monitor the implementation of the program through an annual evaluation of projects accomplished during the preceding year and an assessment, prior to implementation, of projects proposed for the coming year to ensure that they are in accordance with legislative intent.
IV. The committee shall meet at least annually, but more often if necessary. The members shall serve without compensation, except that legislative members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate. The committee chairperson shall appoint a secretary from within the committee to keep a detailed record of all proceedings.
V. Any vacant position shall be filled by the appropriate authority.
VI. It shall be the duty of legislative members of the committee to initiate appropriate legislation to ensure that the purposes and goals of the veterans’ programs number plate program are being achieved.
261:97-j Plate Use. Plates may be used on passenger motor vehicles and recreation vehicles.
2 New Subparagraph; Application of Receipts. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (252) the following new subparagraph:
(253) The designated portion of moneys received under RSA 261:97-g, which shall be credited to the veterans’ programs number plate trust fund established in RSA 261:97-h.
3 Date for Implementation; Issuance of Veterans’ Programs Number Plates. The director shall begin issuing special veterans’ programs number plates under RSA 261:97-g on or before January 1, 2008.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
LBAO
07-1263
02/05/07
SB 211-FN-A - FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT establishing a veterans’ programs number plate trust fund and a special veterans’ programs license plate, to support state veterans’ programs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Department of Safety has determined this bill will increase state highway fund and restricted fund revenue and expenditures and local revenue by an indeterminable amount in FY 2007 and each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on county and local expenditures or on county revenue.
METHODOLOGY:
The Department of Safety stated this bill intends to establish a veterans’ programs number plate trust fund which would be funded by fees for a veterans’ program license plate established in this bill. Moneys from this fund would be used solely for appropriations to the veterans’ home, the state veterans council, and other state programs for veterans. The veterans’ programs number plate advisory committee would jointly determine the plate design and the Department of Safety would be required to produce the plates. Highway fund revenue would increase by $25 for the initial issue of each plate set. The department cannot estimate the total increase in highway fund revenue, because it cannot determine how many persons would opt to purchase these plates. The fiscal impact on state expenditures also cannot be estimated, because the department cannot predict the demand for these plates, but if the demand is significant, the increase in state expenditures would be significant. The annual renewal of these plates would by $25 per set, but the revenue, net of production and administrative costs would be credited to the veterans’ program number plate trust fund. This revenue also cannot be estimated for the same reasons as the initial plate issue, and similarly the production and administrative costs cannot be estimated. State expenditures would also increase by 12% of whatever the increase in highway fund revenue would come to, pursuant to RSA 235:23, which details the local highway fund calculation.