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Bill

A 4429

Authorizes creation of "Sons of the American Legion" license plates.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Rosy Bagolie and 3 co-sponsors

Creates a Sons of the American Legion NJ specialty license plate with dedicated funds, fees, and oversight, funded initial costs by SALNJ, and a 12-month implementation deadline.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4429

Summary of Bill A-4429 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Purpose and intent

  • Authorizes the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to issue specialty license plates for the Sons of the American Legion (SALNJ).
  • The design authority for the plate rests with the MVC Chief Administrator in consultation with the SALNJ Detachment of New Jersey.

Key provisions and changes

  • Issuance and design

    • The MVC Chief Administrator may issue Sons of the American Legion license plates for any vehicle registered in New Jersey.
    • Plates will display an emblem and a slogan appropriate to SALNJ, with the design selected by the Chief Administrator in consultation with SALNJ.
    • Plates follow the general rules of Title 39, with the specifics laid out in the bill.

  • Application and fees

    • Initial application fee: $50 (paid to the MVC, in addition to standard registration fees).
    • Annual renewal/maintenance fee: $10, collected after the year of issuance, in addition to standard registration fees.
    • Fees collected under this program are to be deposited into the “Sons of the American Legion License Plate Fund.”

  • Fund and use of funds

    • Creation of the “Sons of the American Legion License Plate Fund” in the Department of the Treasury (special, non-lapsing).
    • Funds consist of: the fees collected for SAL plates (net of amounts needed to reimburse MVC for administrative costs).
    • Interest and income earned on the fund, and any appropriations, are to be deposited back into the fund for SALNJ use.
    • Annual appropriation of fund monies to the SALNJ Detachment of New Jersey.

  • Administrative costs and oversight

    • Before de facto implementation, the MVC must reimburse its costs from the SAL plate funds for: 1) Design, production, issuance, renewal, and publicizing the SAL plate program. 2) Any initial computer programming changes, capped at $150,000.
    • The MVC Chief Administrator must annually certify the average cost per plate; this certification requires approval by the Joint Budget Oversight Committee (or successor).
    • If the average cost per plate exceeds the $50 application fee in two consecutive fiscal years, the MVC Chief Administrator may discontinue the plate program.

  • Publicity and liaison

    • The MVC Chief Administrator must notify eligible motorists about the SAL plate via the MVC website.
    • SALNJ (or designated entities) may publicize the availability of SAL plates as appropriate.
    • A memorandum of agreement (MOA) must be developed between the MVC and SALNJ detailing responsibilities.
    • SALNJ Detachment Commander must appoint a liaison to handle communications with the MVC about the plate program.

  • Initial funding and implementation prerequisites

    • Public funds cannot be used for the initial costs (design, production, issuance, publicizing, or programming changes).
    • SALNJ or its designee must contribute non-public funds (not to exceed $25,000) to offset initial costs.
    • Private contributions may be accepted to offset initial costs; any excess remains in the SAL Plate Fund.
    • Implementation cannot begin until: 1) SALNJ provides money to cover initial costs, as determined by the MVC Chief Administrator. 2) SALNJ liaison provides at least 500 completed applications for SAL plates (with associated payment for the initial order).
    • The initial-order cost and 500-applicant threshold establish a funding/market demand prerequisite.

  • Effective date and sunset

    • The act takes effect immediately but remains inoperative until the first day of the 13th month after enactment, provided the conditions above are satisfied.
    • The act expires if the conditions for implementation (500 applications and funding) are not satisfied by the end of the 12th month after enactment.

Affected parties

  • Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and its employees responsible for license plate issuance, design, and programming.
  • Sons of the American Legion Detachment of New Jersey (SALNJ) and its members.
  • SALNJ-designated individuals or entities participating in fundraising, outreach, and liaison activities.
  • New Jersey taxpayers, as potential fund borrowers (via fees) and as beneficiaries of SALNJ veterans/community service programs.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Pre-implementation prerequisites must be met before any design, production, issuance, or publicity activity occurs.
  • Annual cost certification and oversight by the Joint Budget Oversight Committee (or successor) are required to determine ongoing viability.
  • There is a built-in mechanism to discontinue the program if ongoing average costs surpass the initial fee threshold for two consecutive years.
  • The bill includes a sunset condition if implementation prerequisites are not satisfied within 12 months of enactment.

Context

  • SALNJ is a program of the American Legion focused on veterans service and community support, with about 150 squadrons in New Jersey.

This summary captures the bill’s aim to create a SALNJ specialty license plate, funding mechanisms (including donor contributions and a dedicated fund), oversight, prerequisites for implementation, and a potential termination if costs prove unsustainable.

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

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