Bill
S 3907
New Jersey authorizes a Woman Veteran license plate; net proceeds fund women-veteran groups, but only if 500 completed apps and initial funding are secured.
Overview
- Purpose: Authorizes the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to issue a special “Woman Veteran” license plate featuring the silhouette of a woman veteran saluting set against an American flag background, with the words “Woman Veteran.”
- Revenue/Uses: Net proceeds, after covering implementation costs, would be deposited into the Woman Veteran License Plate Fund and annually appropriated to organizations and groups that support women veterans.
- Status: Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee (introduced January 30, 2025; previously reported out of Senate Transportation Committee).
Key Provisions
- Design and Eligibility
- Plate design: silhouette of a woman veteran saluting on an American flag background; includes the words “Woman Veteran.”
- Eligibility: applicants must provide proof of veteran status (DD-214 form or Certificate of Release/Discharge from Active Duty).
- Applicability: applies to any motor vehicle owned, leased, and registered in New Jersey.
- Fees and Funds
- Fees: $50 non-refundable application fee (in addition to standard registration fees) and a $10 annual renewal fee.
- Funds: after deducting administrative costs, fees go into the Woman Veteran License Plate Fund (a special non-lapsing fund in the Treasury). Money in the fund is to be appropriated annually to groups supporting women veterans.
- Cost Recovery and Oversight
- The MVC must annually certify the average cost to produce, issue, renew, and publicize the plates. If the cost per plate exceeds $50 in two consecutive fiscal years, the MVC may discontinue the program.
- The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) appoints a liaison to coordinate with the MVC on plate communications.
- Initial Financing and Participation Requirements
- Public funds cannot be used for initial design/production/advertising or necessary programming changes.
- The DMVA (or designated entity) must contribute non-public funds up to $25,000 to offset initial costs, and private donors may contribute as well.
- Implementation can begin only after (a) sufficient funds to offset initial costs are provided and (b) a minimum of 500 completed applications are received.
- If 500 completed applications are not received, the bill’s provisions remain inoperative and expire 12 months after enactment.
- Administration and Sunset
- The bill requires coordination through a memorandum of agreement between the MVC and DMVA and specifies a liaison to represent DMVA in MVC communications.
- The bill expires if the 500-application threshold and cost-offset funding are not secured within 12 months of enactment.
Fiscal Implications (as per Fiscal Note)
- Initial estimated cost to implement: approximately $46,423 (design, programming, and early plate production).
- Potential revenue: at least $50,000 in initial collections (application fee plus initial offset), with ongoing annual revenues from $50 renewal fees.
- Net impact: largely offsetting; annual revenue and expenditures are uncertain and depend on demand, but the bill is structured to recover costs and fund veteran-focused groups through any excess.
Who Is Affected
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission operations and budgeting.
- Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and its designated liaison.
- Female veterans and veteran-support organizations that could benefit from funds.
- Private donors contributing to offset initial costs.
Related Context
- Companion bill: A 5097 (companion in the Assembly).
- Related/similar bills in other sessions (listed as prior-session references).
Notes
- The program is contingent on securing initial funding and a minimum 500 applications; otherwise it would not commence.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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