ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1049

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 9, 1997

      The Assembly Transportation and Communications Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 1049 with committee amendments.

      This amended bill provides for the issuance of special license plates for members of the clergy who qualify under its provisions. The plates would bear the word "Clergy." A clergy member may display the standard symbol of the religion the clergy member represents on the plate if the symbol has been approved by the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles. A $25 fee would be charged in addition to the usual registration fees for the vehicle bearing the plates.

      The bill authorizes the director to promulgate rules and regulations concerning the use, design, material and placement of religious symbols on the "clergy" license plates. The bills also authorizes the director to discontinue issuance of "clergy" license plates should there be little demand for the plates.

      Finally, the bill provides that the application fee collected be retained by the division to covers its costs for producing and issuing "clergy" license plates.

      The committee amended the bill to provide that the special license plates need not depict the standard religious symbol of the clergy member, but allows the clergy member to affix the symbol on the plate as long as the symbol has been approved by the director.

      The amendments further provide for the director to discontinue issuance of "clergy" license plates under certain circumstances and for the director to retain the application fee collected to cover its costs for producing and issuing the plates.

      Technical review was performed on this pre-filed bill, as required under Joint Rule 18A of the Senate and General Assembly.