HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 225

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Three-fifths of all members elected to each house thereof concurring therein):

Section 1. Amend Chapter 21, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 2140O. Special registration plates supporting Delaware Greenwing Ducks Unlimited.

(a) The owner of any vehicle described in subsection (b) of this section may apply to the Division of Motor Vehicles for a special Greenwing Ducks Unlimited registration plate. The Division shall issue the plate if it receives at least 200 of such applications.

(b) This section applies to any of the following:

(1) A private passenger vehicle.

(2) Subject to paragraph (b)(2)(b) of this section, a motor vehicle, including a truck or trailer, with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 pounds or less.

a. The motor vehicle described in this paragraph may be owned by an individual or an artificial entity, including corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, or joint-stock company.

b. A truck that qualifies to register for the International Registration Plan (IRP), individually, or as part of a combination of vehicles, as defined in § 101 of this title, may not be issued a special plate under this section.

(c) Upon the initial application for a plate to be issued pursuant to this section, a 1-time fee of $50.00, which includes an administrative fee of $15.00, is required in addition to the annual registration fee required by this title. This additional fee is required for all persons applying for a special plate pursuant to this section, including members of nonprofit organizations, even if members are exempt from registration fees under § 2159 of this chapter. A replacement plate may be obtained upon payment of a fee to be set by the Division of Motor Vehicles, which shall cover the cost of the plate.

(d) After making the initial application for a plate to be issued pursuant to this section, the owner shall pay a $35.00 annual surcharge for each plate in addition to the regular registration fee.

(e) The one-time administrative fee collected pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall be deposited into a special fund and used by the Division of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of promoting the sale of the plate and administering this section. Proceeds remaining after the Division of Motor Vehicles has covered the costs of promoting and administering this section shall be applied pursuant to subsection (f) of this section.

(f) The funds derived by the State from that portion of the one-time fee of $50.00 and the $35.00 annual surcharge that are not defined as administrative fees pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall be deposited by the Division of Motor Vehicles with the State Treasurer and shall be specifically set aside and deposited for the Greenwing Members of Delaware Ducks Unlimited deposit in the Greenwing Delaware Ducks Unlimited Fund.

(g) All registration plates issued pursuant to this section shall be of the colors and design as determined by the Division of Motor Vehicles and the Greenwing Delaware Ducks Unlimited. The numbers and letters assigned to the license plate will be the same as the current license plate assigned to the vehicle. The committee may drop the wording “The First State” and substitute in its place “Greenwing Ducks Unlimited.”

(h) The Division of Motor Vehicles shall have the power to refuse any design which it believes would cause a public safety enforcement problem. The Division of Motor Vehicles may promulgate rules and regulations as required to administer this section.

SYNOPSIS

This bill creates a special license plate to help underwrite Youth and Conservation Day for the Delaware Ducks Unlimited youth members known as Greenwings. Greenwings are younger Ducks Unlimited members who participate in the conservation, restoration, and management of wetlands and associated habitats for North American waterfowl. The purpose of this license plate is to raise money to educate our youth in the continued conservation of our habitats to benefit our wildlife and people. This plate is intended for use by individuals of all ages.