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Bill Summary · HB 1023

Summary of HB 1023 (2025 Session) — Divine Nine Special Registration Plate Act (North Carolina)

Overview

  • Title: Divine Nine Special Registration Plate Act
  • Bill Number: HB 1023
  • Session: 2025
  • Sponsor: Representative Roberson (with multiple co-sponsors)
  • Purpose: Establish a new Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority special registration plate and adjust fees and funding distributions for related Divine Nine (historically Black fraternities and sororities) plates. The act also reorganizes and clarifies funding transfers associated with these plates.

Objective and Intent

  • Create a dedicated NC special registration plate for Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.
  • Expand/adjust the fee structure for special registration plates related to Divine Nine organizations (and other existing plates).
  • Direct the allocation of the incremental fees from these plates to specific accounts and foundations supporting education, cultural/collegiate efforts, and organizational foundations.
  • Alphabetize and renumber the list of special plates for consistency.

Key Provisions

1) Creation of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Plate

  • The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would issue a Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority special license plate to registered vehicle owners.
  • Plate design would feature the sorority’s symbol and name and include the motto: “Greater Service, Greater Progress.”

2) Fees for Special Plates (Addition and Existing Plates)

  • The act adds an additional annual fee for various special plates beyond the standard registration fee.
  • Examples of added fees (illustrative from the bill text):
    • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority: $20.00
    • Other listed plates show additional fees ranging from $20 to $30 (e.g., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity $30, In God We Trust $30, Keeping the Lights On $30, etc.).
  • The fee amounts apply in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee (as per G.S. 20-87 or 20-88).

3) Distribution of Fees

  • Additional plate fees are deposited into three accounts:
    • Special Registration Plate Account (SRPA)
    • Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account (CCAPA)
    • North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF)
    • Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PRTF)
  • The bill provides a specific quarterly distribution schedule for the proceeds of each listed plate. Examples include:
    • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority: SRPA $10, CCAPA $10
    • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity: SRPA $10, CCAPA $20
    • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority: SRPA $10, CCAPA $10
    • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity: SRPA $10, CCAPA $10
    • Keeping The Lights On: SRPA $10, CCAPA $20
    • Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity: SRPA $10, CCAPA $10
    • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority: SRPA $10, CCAPA $20
    • And other listed plates have corresponding allocations
  • The funds are earmarked for the SRPA, CCAPA, NCLWF, and PRTF accounts as specified in the bill.

4) Transfers to Foundations and Foundations-Linked Programs (New Subsections)

  • The Act adds new subsections to G.S. 20-81.12 specifying quarterly transfers from the CCAPA (Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account) for certain organizations to designated foundations:
    • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority: to Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc.
    • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority: to Delta Research and Educational Foundation
    • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity: to Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation
    • Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity: to The Sigmas of North Carolina, Inc.
    • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority: to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority National Education Fund, Inc.
  • These provisions ensure that a portion of CCAPA-derived funds support educational and philanthropic activities tied to each organization.

5) Administrative Clean-up

  • Revisor of Statutes would alphabetize, number, and renumber the list of special registration plates to ensure alphabetical order and proper numbering.

6) Effective Date

  • The act would become effective when it becomes law.

Who Is Affected

  • Vehicle owners who choose to obtain any of the specified special registration plates, including:
    • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority plate (new)
    • Other Divine Nine plates (Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, etc.)
    • Other listed special plates (e.g., Keeping the Lights On, Share the Road, PILOT Mountain State Park, etc.)
  • Foundations and educational/nonprofit organizations connected to these plates (per the new transfer provisions) that receive quarterly distributions.
  • State agencies administering vehicle registrations and special plate programs (DMV and related fiscal accounts: SRPA, CCAPA, NCLWF, PRTF).

Timeline and Process Considerations

  • The act sets up the framework for new plate issuance and fee collection but does not specify registration of the new plate timing beyond becoming law.
  • Quarterly transfers of funds are mandated to the specified foundations and accounts.
  • Administrative renumbering/alphabetizing is required to align with existing plate listings.

Practical Impact

  • Potential increased fundraising capacity for participating sororities/fraternities through the CCAPA and SRPA streams, with targeted distribution to educational, cultural, and foundation programs.
  • Students and communities may benefit from educational advancement initiatives funded through the designated foundations.
  • The Divine Nine community gains visibility via the Sigma Gamma Rho plate, complementing existing plates and support structures.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text as provided and does not assess fiscal impact, implementation feasibility, or potential oversight considerations.

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

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