LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 2136

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 27, 1996

      Assembly Bill No. 2136 (1R) of 1996 permits the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue alternative fuel vehicle license plates. No fee other than the regular vehicle registration fees would be charged for these plates. However, the bill stipulates that no plates shall be issued until sufficient private donations are received to pay the DMV for the costs associated with plate issuance.

      Regarding the amount collected from regular registration fees of vehicles displaying alternative fuel license plates, such amount would be deposited in the special "Alternative Fuel Vehicle License Plate Fund." This special fund would be administered by the Department of Environmental Protection and the monies in the fund dedicated for the support of projects and programs promoting air quality improvements through the use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) notes that the bill requires that private donations be used to pay for the DMV costs associated with plate issuance; therefore, there should be no plate issuance costs to the State. Although OLS also notes that the regular registration fees of vehicles displaying alternative fuel license plates are to be deposited into a special fund, OLS cannot determine the amount of the deposit. The amount would depend on the number and type of qualifying vehicles, presently unknown, which display alternative fuel license plates.

      This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.