ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 541

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 15, 1997

      The Assembly Environment, Science and Technology Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 541 (1R).

      This bill would direct the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the Department of Transportation to establish a special game fish license plate program. The special plates would contain the words "game fish" and a picture depicting a striped bass. A $50 application fee would be charged for the issuance of the plates, and an additional $10 fee would be collected for each annual renewal.

      The bill would create in the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, a special non-lapsing "Game Fish License Plate Fund." All license plate fees collected pursuant to the bill, less the amounts necessary to reimburse the DMV for administrative costs as provided in the bill, would be deposited in the fund. Monies deposited in the fund would be dedicated for marine fisheries conservation, management and research.

      Costs incurred by the DMV in producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing game fish license plates, as annually certified by the director, would be reimbursed from the fees collected. DMV would also be authorized to use a portion of the fees collected to pay for the cost of any computer programming changes that may be necessary to implement the license plate program.

      The bill would direct the DMV to include in all mailings of motor vehicle registration renewals a notice of the availability of game fish license plates.

      The bill would require the Joint Budget Oversight Committee to approve the DMV's annual certification of the average cost to produce, issue, renew, and publicize the availability of a license plate. If the average annual cost exceeds $50 for two consecutive fiscal years, the division would be authorized to discontinue the issuance of these license plates.