GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2005

 

 

SESSION LAW 2006-209

SENATE BILL 1373

 

 

AN ACT to increase the fee for a breast cancer awareness special plate to support services to detect breast cancer earlier; to authorize the division of motor vehicles to issue the following new special registration plates: Carolina's Aviation Museum, EMT, fox hunting, gold star, greyhound friends of Nc, kappa alpha psi fraternity, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Lung cancer research, NC Children's Promise, NC state parks, Prince Hall mason, support our troops, and Us Equine rescue LEague; to eliminate the registration plate fee requirement for individuals who qualify for the Legion of VALOR Special Registration Plate; to add the ducks unlimited special plate to the list of plates not required to have a "first in flight" background; to authorize the Division to issue an international Association of fire fighters special plate to a surviving spouse; to repeal the sunset on the Harley Owners' Group and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation special license plates; and to amend the retired highway patrol special plate.

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

SECTION 1.  G.S. 20-63(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      Every license plate shall have displayed upon it the registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it is issued, the name of the State of North Carolina, which may be abbreviated, and the year number for which it is issued or the date of expiration. A plate issued for a commercial vehicle, as defined in G.S. 20-4.2(1), and weighing 26,001 pounds or more, must bear the word "commercial," unless the plate is a special registration plate authorized in G.S. 20-79.4 or the commercial vehicle is a trailer or is licensed for 6,000 pounds or less. The plate issued for vehicles licensed for 7,000 pounds through 26,000 pounds must bear the word "weighted".

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a registration plate issued by the Division for a private passenger vehicle or for a private hauler vehicle licensed for 6,000 pounds or less shall be a "First in Flight" plate. A "First in Flight" plate shall have the words "First in Flight" printed at the top of the plate above all other letters and numerals. The background of the plate shall depict the Wright Brothers biplane flying over Kitty Hawk Beach, with the plane flying slightly upward and to the right. The following special registration plates do not have to be a "First in Flight" plate. The design of the plates that are not "First in Flight" plates must be approved by the Division and the State Highway Patrol for clarity and ease of identification.

(1)       Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

(2)       Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

(3)       Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

(4)       Friends of the Appalachian Trail.

(5)       NC Coastal Federation.

(6)       In God We Trust.

(7)       Stock Car Racing Theme.

(8)       Buddy Pelletier Surfing Foundation.

(9)       Guilford Battleground Company.

(10)     National Wild Turkey Federation.

(11)     North Carolina Aquarium Society.

(12)     First in Forestry.

(13)     North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation.

(14)     NC Trout Unlimited.

(15)     Ducks Unlimited.

(16)     Lung Cancer Research.

(17)     NC State Parks.

(18)     Support Our Troops.

(19)     US Equine Rescue League.

(20)     Fox Hunting."

SECTION 2.  G.S. 20-79.4(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      Types. - The Division shall issue the following types of special registration plates:

(3h)     Breast Cancer Awareness. - Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle. vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear the phrase "Early Detection Saves Lives" and a representation of a pink ribbon. The Division must receive 300 or more applications for the plate before it may be developed.

(3n)     Carolina's Aviation Museum. - This plate is issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear the phrase "Carolina's Aviation Museum" and a logo provided by the museum.

(14e)   Emergency Medical Technician. - Issuable to an emergency medical technician, as defined in G.S. 131E-155. The plate shall bear the Star of Life logo and the letters "EMT". The Division may not issue the plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for the plate.

(15c)   Fox Hunting. - Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle. The plate may bear a phrase and a picture representing fox hunting. The Division may not issue the plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for the plate.

(16b)   Greyhound Friends of North Carolina. - Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear the phrase "Greyhound Friends of North Carolina" and a picture of a greyhound.

(16f)   Gold Star Lapel Button. - Issuable to the recipient of the Gold Star lapel button. The plate shall bear the emblem of the Gold Star lapel button and the words "Gold Star". The Division may not issue the plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for the plate.

(19b)   International Association of Fire Fighters. - Issuable to a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters. The plate authorized by this subdivision shall bear the logo of the International Association of Fire Fighters. The Division may not issue the plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for the plate. The plate is issuable to one of the following:

a.         A person who presents proof of active membership in the International Association of Fire Fighters for the year in which the license plate is sought.

b.         The surviving spouse of a person who was a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters, so long as the surviving spouse continues to renew the plate and does not remarry.

(20f)   Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. - Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle. The plate shall bear the fraternity's symbol and name. The Division may not issue the plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for the plate.

(22c)   Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. - Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear the phrase and logo provided by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that reflects "TEAM IN TRAINING".

(22k)   Lung Cancer Research. - Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear the phrase "Lung Cancer Research" and a representation of the American Lung Association's Red Cross.

(28k)   NC Children's Promise. - Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear the phrase "N.C. Children's Promise" and a logo representing the North Carolina Children's Promise organization.

(32g)   Prince Hall Mason. - This plate is issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear the phrase "Prince Hall Mason" and a picture of the Masonic symbol.

(36a)   Retired Highway Patrol. - The plate authorized by this subdivision shall bear the phrase "SHP, Retired." The Division may not issue the plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for the plate. The plate is issuable to one of the following:

a.         An individual who has retired from the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

b.         The surviving spouse of a person who had a retired highway patrol plate at the time of death so long as the surviving spouse continues to renew the plate and does not remarry.

c.         The surviving spouse of a person who qualified for a retired highway patrol plate so long as the surviving spouse applies for the plate within ninety (90) days of the qualifying spouse's death and does not remarry.

(45a)   Support Our Troops. - Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear a picture of a soldier and a child and shall bear the words: "Support Our Troops".

(46c)   US Equine Rescue League. - Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear the phrase "United States Equine Rescue League", and a depiction of two horses in a circle."

SECTION 3.  G.S. 20-79.7(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a)      Fees. - Upon request, the Division shall provide and issue free of charge one registration plate to a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, a Legion of Valor award, a 100% disabled veteran, and an ex-prisoner of war. All other special registration plates, including additional Congressional Medal of Honor, Legion of Valor, 100% Disabled Veteran, and Ex-Prisoner of War plates, are subject to the regular motor vehicle registration fee in G.S. 20-87 or G.S. 20-88 plus an additional fee in the following amount:

Special Plate                                                                                      Additional Fee Amount

Coastal Conservation Association                                                                 $30.00

Crystal Coast                                                                                                   $30.00

El Pueblo                                                                                                          $30.00

First in Forestry                                                                                               $30.00

Historical Attraction                                                                                       $30.00

HOMES4NC                                                                                                    $30.00

In God We Trust                                                                                              $30.00

North Carolina 4-H Development Fund                                                        $30.00

North Carolina Libraries                                                                                $30.00

Personalized                                                                                                    $30.00

Share the Road                                                                                                 $30.00

State Attraction                                                                                                $30.00

Stock Car Racing Theme                                                                                $30.00

Support Our Troops                                                                                         $30.00

Buffalo Soldiers                                                                                              $25.00

Collegiate Insignia                                                                                          $25.00

Goodness Grows                                                                                             $25.00

High School Insignia                                                                                       $25.00

Kids First                                                                                                         $25.00

Olympic Games                                                                                               $25.00

National Multiple Sclerosis Society                                                             $25.00

National Wild Turkey Federation                                                                  $25.00

NC Agribusiness                                                                                              $25.00

NC Children's Promise                                                                                   $25.00

NC Coastal Federation                                                                                    $25.00

Nurses                                                                                                              $25.00

(Effective until June 30, 2006) Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation           $25.00

Special Olympics                                                                                            $25.00

Surveyor Plate                                                                                                 $25.00

The V Foundation for Cancer Research Division                                         $25.00

University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina                                           $25.00

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity                                                                             $20.00

Animal Lovers                                                                                                 $20.00

ARC of North Carolina                                                                                   $20.00

Audubon North Carolina                                                                                 $20.00

Autism Society of North Carolina                                                                 $20.00

Be Active NC                                                                                                   $20.00

Breast Cancer Awareness                                                                               $20.00

Buddy Pelletier Surfing Foundation                                                              $20.00

Daughters of the American Revolution                                                         $20.00

Ducks Unlimited                                                                                             $20.00

Greyhound Friends of North Carolina                                                           $20.00

Guilford Battleground Company                                                                    $20.00

(Effective until June 30, 2006) Harley Owners' Group                            $20.00

Litter Prevention                                                                                             $20.00

March of Dimes                                                                                              $20.00

NC Trout Unlimited                                                                                        $20.00

NC Wildlife Habitat Foundation                                                                    $20.00

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity                                                                               $20.00

Prince Hall Mason                                                                                          $20.00

Save the Sea Turtles                                                                                        $20.00

Scenic Rivers                                                                                                   $20.00

School Technology                                                                                         $20.00

SCUBA                                                                                                             $20.00

Soil and Water Conservation                                                                          $20.00

Special Forces Association                                                                            $20.00

Support Public Schools                                                                                  $20.00

US Equine Rescue League                                                                              $20.00

Wildlife Resources                                                                                         $20.00

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority                                                                                    $20.00

Carolina's Aviation Museum                                                                          $15.00

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society                                                                   $15.00

Lung Cancer Research                                                                                    $15.00

Shag Dancing                                                                                                   $15.00

Active Member of the National Guard                                                             None

100% Disabled Veteran                                                                                     None

Ex-Prisoner of War                                                                                            None

Legion of Valor                                                                                                  None

Purple Heart Recipient                                                                                      None

Silver Star Recipient                                                                                          None

All Other Special Plates                                                                                 $10.00."

SECTION 4.  G.S. 20-79.7(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      Distribution of Fees. - The Special Registration Plate Account and the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account are established within the Highway Fund. The Division must credit the additional fee imposed for the special registration plates listed in subsection (a) among the Special Registration Plate Account (SRPA), the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account (CCAPA), the Natural Heritage Trust Fund (NHTF), which is established under G.S. 113-77.7, and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, which is established under G.S. 113-44.15, as follows:

Special Plate                                         SRPA             CCAPA         NHTF          PRTF

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity                      $10                 $10                0                  0

Animal Lovers                                          $10                 $10                0                  0

ARC of North Carolina                           $10                 $10                0                  0

Audubon North Carolina                         $10                 $10                0                  0

Autism Society of North Carolina         $10                 $10                0                  0

Be Active NC                                           $10                 $10                0                  0

Breast Cancer Awareness                       $10                 $10                0                  0

Buddy Pelletier Surfing Foundation      $10                 $10                0                  0

Buffalo Soldiers                                      $10                 $15                0                  0

Carolina's Aviation Museum                   $10                   $5                0                  0

Coastal Conservation Association         $10                 $20                0                  0

Crystal Coast                                            $10                 $20                0                  0

Daughters of the American

Revolution                                         $10                 $10                0                  0

Ducks Unlimited                                      $10                 $10                0                  0

El Pueblo                                                  $10                 $20                0                  0

First in Forestry                                       $10                 $10            $10                  0

Goodness Grows                                     $10                 $15                0                  0

Greyhound Friends of North Carolina   $10                 $10                0                  0

Guilford Battleground

Company                                            $10                 $10                0                  0

(Effective until June 30, 2006)

Harley Owners' Group                             $10                 $10                0                  0

High School Insignia                               $10                 $15                0                  0

Historical Attraction                               $10                 $20                0                  0

HOMES4NC                                            $10                 $20                0                  0

In God We Trust                                      $10                 $20                0                  0

In-State Collegiate Insignia                    $10                 $15                0                  0

Kids First                                                  $10                 $15                0                  0

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society            $10                   $5                0                  0

Litter Prevention                                     $10                 $10                0                  0

Lung Cancer Research                            $10                   $5                0                  0

March of Dimes                                       $10                 $10                0                  0

National Multiple Sclerosis

Society                                               $10                 $15                0                  0

National Wild Turkey

     Federation                                           $10                 $15                0                  0

NC Agribusiness                                      $10                 $15                0                  0

NC Children's Promise                           $10                 $15                0                  0

NC Coastal Federation                            $10                 $15                0                  0

NC 4-H Development Fund                    $10                 $20                0                  0

NC Trout Unlimited                                $10                 $10                0                  0

North Carolina Libraries                         $10                 $20                0                  0

NC Wildlife Habitat Foundation            $10                 $10                0                  0

Nurses                                                       $10                 $15                0                  0

Olympic Games                                       $10                 $15                0                  0

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity                        $10                 $10                0                  0

Out-of-state Collegiate Insignia             $10                     0            $15                  0

Personalized                                             $10                     0            $15                $5

Prince Hall Mason                                   $10                 $10                0                  0

(Effective until June 30, 2006)

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation            $10                 $15                0                  0

Save the Sea Turtles                                 $10                 $10                0                  0

Scenic Rivers                                           $10                 $10                0                  0

School Technology                                  $10                 $10                0                  0

SCUBA                                                     $10                 $10                0                  0

Shag Dancing                                            $10                   $5                0                  0

Share the Road                                         $10                 $20                0                  0

Soil and Water Conservation                  $10                 $10                0                  0

Special Forces Association                    $10                 $10                0                  0

Special Olympics                                     $10                 $15                0                  0

State Attraction                                        $10                 $20                0                  0

Stock Car Racing Theme                         $10                 $20                0                  0

Support Our Troops                                 $10                 $20                0                  0

Support Public Schools                           $10                 $10                0                  0

Surveyor Plate                                          $10                 $15                0                  0

The V Foundation for Cancer

Research                                            $10                 $15                0                  0

University Health Systems of

Eastern Carolina                                $10                 $15                0                  0

US Equine Rescue League                      $10                 $10                0                  0

Wildlife Resources                                 $10                 $10                0                  0

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority                            $10                 $10                0                  0

All other Special Plates                          $10                     0                0                 0."

SECTION 5.  G.S. 20-81.12(b2) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

"(b2)    State Attraction Plates. - The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a State attraction plate before the plate may be developed. The Division must transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of State attraction plates to the organizations named below in proportion to the number of State attraction plates sold representing that organization:

(1i)      North Carolina State Parks. - One-half of the revenue derived from the special plate shall be transferred quarterly to Natural Heritage Trust Fund established under G.S. 113-77.7, and the remaining revenue shall be transferred quarterly to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund established under G.S. 113-44.15."

SECTION 6.  G.S. 20-81.12 is amended by adding the following new subsections to read:

"(b53) Breast Cancer Awareness. - The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a Breast Cancer Awareness plate before the plate may be developed. The Division must transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of Breast Cancer Awareness plates to Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test, Inc., to support services to detect breast cancer earlier.

(b54)   Carolina's Aviation Museum. - The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a Carolina's Aviation Museum plate before the plate may be developed. The Division must transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of Carolina's Aviation Museum plates to the Carolina's Historic Aviation Commission, a domestic nonprofit corporation, to be used to help continue operation of the Museum.

(b55)   Greyhound Friends of North Carolina. - The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a Greyhound Friends of North Carolina plate before the plate may be developed. The Division must transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of the Greyhound Friends of North Carolina plates to the Greyhound Friends of North Carolina, Inc., to be used for the care and upkeep of retired greyhound racers that are awaiting adoption.

(b56)   Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. - The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society plate before the plate may be developed. The Division must transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society plates to the Eastern Chapter of the North Carolina Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a State-chartered chapter of the national nonprofit organization known as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Inc., a duly registered New York nonprofit corporation. These funds may be divided between the Eastern and Western chapters of the North Carolina Leukemia & Lymphoma Society which shall each use the funds for blood cancer research, awareness, and education.

(b57)   Lung Cancer Research. - The Division must receive 300 or more applications for the Lung Cancer Research plate before the plate may be developed. The Division must transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of Lung Cancer Research plates to the American Lung Association of North Carolina, Inc., to be used for eliminating lung disease and fostering healthy breathing for all people through prevention, outreach, education, research, and advocacy.

(b58)   NC Children's Promise. - The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a N.C. Children's Promise plate before the plate may be developed. The Division must transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of NC Children's Promise plates to The Medical Foundation of North Carolina, Incorporated, to be used to support the North Carolina Children's Promise.

(b59)   Prince Hall Mason. - The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a Prince Hall Mason plate before the plate may be developed. The Division must transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of Prince Hall Mason plates to The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Jurisdiction, Inc., to be used for scholarships, family assistance, and other charitable causes.

(b60)   Support Our Troops. - The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a Support Our Troops plate before the plate may be developed. The Division shall transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of Support Our Troops plates to NC Support Our Troops, Inc., to be used to provide support and assistance to the troops and their families.

(b61)   US Equine Rescue League. - The Division must receive 300 or more applications for the US Equine Rescue League plate before the plate may be developed. The Division must transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of US Equine Rescue League plates to the United States Equine Rescue League, Inc., to be used for the care and upkeep of rescued equines."

SECTION 7.  Section 8 of S.L. 2001-498 reads as rewritten:

"SECTION 8. Section 7 of this act becomes effective at the earliest practical date, but no later than January 1, 2003. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law. Sections 1(b), 3(b), 4(b), and 6(b) expire on June 30, 2006."

SECTION 8.  As applied to G.S. 20-79.4, the authority in G.S. 164-10 for the Division of Legislative Drafting and Codification to reletter or renumber section subdivisions includes the authority to renumber all the subdivisions in G.S. 20-79.4(b) in sequential and alphabetical order and to eliminate mixed number-letter subdivision designations. This section expires July 1, 2011.

SECTION 9.  The increase in the additional fee for the Breast Cancer Awareness special plate, as amended in Section 3 of this act, becomes effective January 1, 2007, and applies to plates issued or renewed on or after that date. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 26th day of July, 2006.

 

 

                                                                    s/ Beverly E. Perdue

                                                                         President of the Senate

 

 

                                                                    s/ James B. Black

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

 

 

                                                                    s/ Michael F. Easley

                                                                         Governor

 

 

Approved 9:52 a.m. this 8th day of August, 2006