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Bill

S 1915

Amends certain definitions relating to tobacco products and changes the minimum pack sizes for tobacco products and the tax amount for tobacco products

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gustavo Rivera

Creates a NJ “Support Our Veterans” license plate whose net proceeds fund Veterans Haven services, with initial funding and 500 applications required before launch.

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Bill Summary · S 1915

Summary — S.1915 (as reflected in supplied documents)

Note on documents: The materials provided contain conflicting items (an initial title about tobacco products, a Massachusetts docket on firefighter rights, and several New Jersey documents). The most detailed and internally consistent text and fiscal analyses correspond to a New Jersey bill establishing a “Support Our Veterans” specialty license plate. This summary focuses on that New Jersey proposal (Senate Bill No. 1915 as reported to the NJ Legislature). Please verify the bill number and jurisdiction if you intended a different measure.

Purpose

Authorize a specialty “Support Our Veterans” motor vehicle license plate in New Jersey, with net proceeds dedicated to support services for veterans housed at Veterans Haven facilities and to fund duties of the Veterans Haven Council.

Key provisions

  • Creation of a “Support Our Veterans” plate series; design chosen by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Chief Administrator in consultation with the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
  • Fees:
    • $50 initial application fee (in addition to normal registration fees).
    • $10 annual renewal fee thereafter (in addition to regular renewal fees).
  • Establishes the “Support Our Veterans License Plate Fund” (special, non‑lapsing) in the Department of the Treasury. Plate fee collections (less MVC administrative reimbursements) are deposited to this fund and annually appropriated to the Veterans Haven Council within the Division of Veterans Services to support veterans at Veterans Haven (North and South).
  • MVC reimbursement: Before depositing to the fund, amounts necessary to reimburse MVC for reasonable costs of producing, issuing, renewing, publicizing the plates, and any initial computer programming changes shall be paid. Programming reimbursement is capped at $150,000.
  • MVC must annually certify the average per‑plate cost; if certified average exceeds $50 (the initial fee) for two consecutive fiscal years, MVC may discontinue the program.
  • Initial cost protections:
    • MVC may not use State/public funds for initial development/implementation costs.
    • Veterans Haven Council (or its designee) must contribute monies, not to exceed $25,000 (as determined by the Chief Administrator), to offset initial MVC costs. Other private donors may contribute.
    • MVC is not required to design/produce/issue/publicize plates or make programming changes until the Council (or designee) provides the required initial monies and at least 500 completed applications with required fees.
  • The bill’s plate program provisions remain inoperative until the preconditions above are met; the bill expires 12 months after enactment if sufficient applications/fees are not received.

Fiscal impact (Office of Legislative Services / Fiscal Note highlights)

  • MVC estimated initial implementation cost: $46,422.87 (computer programming ~$40,192; initial acquisition ~900 plates @ $6.88 each).
  • OLS projects potential Year 1 revenue of about $50,000 (driven by a required minimum pre‑payment/500 applications) and a potential Year 1 expenditure increase of about $46,423 (largely one‑time programming/plate costs). Thereafter revenue is indeterminate but could be at least $5,000 annually, depending on plate uptake.
  • The program is structured for MVC cost recovery before net proceeds are available for veterans’ services.

Who is affected

  • New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (administration, programming, plate production).
  • Veterans Haven Council and Veterans Haven facilities — will receive net proceeds for services.
  • New Jersey motorists who opt to purchase the specialty plate (pay the additional fees).
  • Private donors / veterans’ organizations that may help cover initial costs.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Reported favorably by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee (March 3, 2025) per committee statement included in the materials.
  • The program will not begin until the Council (or designee) provides required initial funds and 500 applications; otherwise the bill expires 12 months after enactment.
  • MVC must annually certify costs; discontinuation permitted if costs exceed fee thresholds for two consecutive years.

Important caveat

The packet contains multiple, inconsistent entries (different jurisdictions and subject matters). If you intended a different S.1915 (e.g., a tobacco-related bill or a Massachusetts measure), please confirm the jurisdiction and provide the correct text so I can prepare a focused summary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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