ASSEMBLY COMMERCE AND MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1522

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 9, 1997

      The Assembly Commerce and Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate, No. 1522 (1R).

      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 will be $25 in addition to the fees otherwise prescribed by law for the registration of motor vehicles. The fee will cover the cost of producing and issuing these special license plates. Under the bill, the surviving spouse of a Combat Medical Badge holder may retain the special license plates. The bill also provides that the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles may promulgate rules and regulations to implement the bill's provisions. The bill will take effect on the first day of the seventh month after enactment.

      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).