SENATE SENIOR CITIZENS, VETERANS' AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1522

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: OCTOBER 28, 1996

      The Senate Senior Citizens, Veterans' and Agriculture Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1522.

      This bill provides that upon the application of any person who is the holder of a Combat Medical Badge, as certified on the applicant's DD-214 form or on a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles shall issue, for the motor vehicle owned or leased by that person, special license plates bearing a design approved by the director in addition to the registration number and other markings or identification prescribed by law. The plates shall bear the words "Combat Medical Badge" and depict the Combat Medical Badge emblem. The fee for these plates shall be $25 in addition to the fees otherwise prescribed by law for the registration of motor vehicles.

      It should be noted that Combat Infantryman Badge recipients are already entitled to receive special motor vehicle license plates pursuant to P.L.1993, c.72 (C.39:3-27.46).

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to increase from $15 to $25 the fee for the Combat Medical Badge license plate. The higher fee is necessary in order to cover the cost of producing and issuing this special license plate. The amendments also provide that the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles may promulgate rules and regulations to implement the bill's provisions. The bill had required the director to promulgate rules and regulations. However, this may not be necessary to effectuate the bill's purpose. In addition, the amendments provide that instead of taking effect immediately the bill will take effect on the first day of the seventh month after enactment.