[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1022

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: November 20, 1998

      Senate Bill No. 1022 (1R) of 1998 authorizes the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue special license plates to persons awarded the Purple Heart while serving in the United States armed forces. Under current law, P.L.1991, c.232 (C.39:3-27.43 et seq.), special Purple Heart plates are issued only to holders of that award who are members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. There would be a $15 application fee to obtain the special plates which would be in addition to fees otherwise required by law.

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) cannot determine how many holders of the Purple Heart who are not members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart would be interested in obtaining Purple Heart license plates. However, OLS would note that approximately 2,400 holders of the Purple Heart who are members of that service organization have been issued Purple Heart plates to date. Further, OLS estimates that the DMV would incur costs of $10 to $15 to produce and issue each set of these special 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.