NJSA 39:3-27.25
39:3-27.25.  Rules, regulations
     The Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles and the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs shall promulgate and adopt rules and regulations governing the issuance and use of such registration plates.

    L.1981,c.236,s.2; amended 1989,c.117,s.2.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.27
39:3-27.27.  Street rod license plates;  fees;  display of National Street Rod Association safety inspection sticker;  violations;  fine
    a.  The owner of a modified antique automobile manufactured before 1949, referred to as a  "street rod,"  which is registered in this State, may apply to the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles for a special license plate to be displayed in place of the standard license plate.

    The special plate shall be issued upon proof that the street rod is registered in a New Jersey street rod club which is fully affiliated with the National Street Rod Association, Inc.  The plate shall be issued for the applicant's use only for the registered vehicle and upon a transfer of title he  shall surrender the plate to the director.

    b.  The special plate shall bear the words  "street rod"  and shall be of a  design approved by the director.  The fee for the plate shall be $15.00 in addition to the fees otherwise prescribed by law for the registration of the motor vehicle.

    c.  A person issued the special plate, in addition to the prescribed inspection sticker, shall display a valid National Street Rod Association safety inspection sticker on the vehicle.

    d.  The fine for violating this act is not less than $25.00 nor more than $50.00.

     L.1981, c. 240, s. 1.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.28
39:3-27.28.  Disposition of fees
    All fees collected as provided for herein are hereby appropriated to the Division of Motor Vehicles to fund the additional costs incurred in making such  plates available.

     L.1981, c. 240, s. 2.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.29
39:3-27.29.  Issuance of special registration plates for vehicles owned or leased by certain county officials 
     Upon the application of any person who is a member of the board of chosen freeholders in, or surrogate, county clerk, county register of deeds and mortgages, elected county executive, sheriff, or any other officer of any county, the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles shall issue for the motor vehicle owned or leased by such person special registration plates bearing the word  "freeholder, surrogate, county clerk, county register of deeds and mortgages, elected county executive, or sheriff," or such other title designation as may be appropriate, in addition to the registration number and other markings or identification otherwise prescribed by law. 

    These registration plates shall be imprinted with three letters and a numeral.

 

    L.1981,c.401,s.1; amended 1991,c.146,s.1. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.30
39:3-27.30.  Proof of ownership, rental required for issuance of special motor vehicle registration plates; fee 
     The motor vehicle registration plates authorized by this act shall be issued upon proof, satisfactory to the director, that the vehicle for which the plates are issued is owned or leased by a freeholder, surrogate, county clerk, county register of deeds and mortgages, elected county executive, sheriff or other county officer. The fee for such plates shall be $15.00 in addition to the fees otherwise prescribed by law for the registration of motor vehicles. 

    L.1981,c.401,s.2; amended 1991,c.146,s.2. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.31
39:3-27.31.  Surrender of special registration plates after leaving office
     Said special registration plates shall be surrendered to the Division of Motor Vehicles within 30 days after leaving said office. 

    L.1981,c.401,s.3; amended 1991,c.146,s.3. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.32
39:3-27.32.  Disposition of fees
    The fees established hereinabove are appropriated to the Division of Motor Vehicles to fund the additional costs incurred in making such plates available.

     L.1981, c. 401, s. 4, eff. Jan. 6, 1982.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.33
39:3-27.33.  Members of military reserve unit;  special license plates
    Upon the application of any person who is a resident of this State and who is an active member of a military reserve unit, as certified by the appropriate  military authority, the director shall issue for the motor vehicle owned by the  person special registration plates, of a design to be approved by the director  and at a fee to be prescribed by the director, identifying the holder as a  member of a military reserve unit, in addition to the registration number and  other markings or identification otherwise prescribed by law.

     L.1983, c. 165, s. 1.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.34
39:3-27.34.  Rules and regulations
    The director shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the issuance and use of these registration plates and providing for their surrender by persons who cease to be either members of a military reserve unit or residents of this State.

     L.1983, c. 165, s. 2.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.35
39:3-27.35.  Organization vehicle registration plates
     A person who is a member in good standing of a nonprofit community, alumni or service organization in the State approved by the director pursuant to the provisions of this act may be issued special organization vehicle registration plates to be displayed on motor vehicles owned or leased by that person in place of standard registration plates.

    L. 1987, c. 374, s. 1; amended 1989,c.49,s.1.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.36
39:3-27.36.  Conditions for issuance
     Special organization vehicle registration plates shall be issued subject to the following conditions:

    a.   Each organization shall appoint an organization representative who will act as a liaison between the organization and the division.

    b.   The representative shall, upon application on behalf of any member, provide a copy of the charter of the organization to the division which shall indicate the organization's lawful purpose and shall also provide proof of its nonprofit status.

    c.   The representative shall submit an organization Certification of Membership when requested by the division and, once the organization and a registration plate arrangement under subsection d. are approved, forward a fee of no more than $75.00 as determined by the director for each set of special organization vehicle registration plates, in addition to fees otherwise prescribed by law, for these plates.  The Certification of Membership shall be printed at the organization's expense and contain the organization's official letterhead, the signature of the organization's representative, the names and addresses of organization members requesting special organization vehicle registration plates, and the present registration plate numbers of the vehicles of the members.

    d.   The representative also shall submit to the division the name or initials the organization wishes to be placed at the bottom of the plate and a logotype.  The use and arrangement of the name, initials, or logotype of the organization on the registration plates shall be in the sole discretion of the director.

    e.   Special organization vehicle registration plates shall not be provided to any commercially registered vehicle or any motorcycle.

    f.   The initial order for plates shall be for no less than 500 members of the organization in good standing and shall be accompanied by the fees prescribed by the director, except that the initial order for plates submitted by a service organization shall be for no less than 175 members.

    L. 1987, c. 374, s. 2; amended 1989,c.49,s.2.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.37
39:3-27.37.  Director as final authority
    The director shall have the authority to make the final decision as to whether or not an organization is approved for the issuance of special organization vehicle registration plates to its members notwithstanding the organization's compliance with section 2 of P.L.1987, c. 374 (C. 39:3-27.36).

    L. 1987,c.374.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.38
39:3-27.38.  Suspension of approval
     The director shall have the right to suspend approval of any organization granted permission to obtain special organization vehicle registration plates on behalf of its members if the organization:

    a.   No longer qualifies according to the provisions of this act; or

    b.   Has perpetrated a fraud against the Division of Motor Vehicles in obtaining special plates for its members.

    L. 1987,c.374.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.39
39:3-27.39.  Rules, regulations
     Pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c. 410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), the director may adopt rules and regulations governing the design, issuance and use of these vehicle registration plates including the nature of the documentation to be used as proof of nonprofit status, definitions of community, alumni, and service organizations, and procedures for the return of special organization vehicle registration plates from persons who are no longer members in the approved organization or who have been convicted of any violation pursuant to P.L.1959, c. 56 (C. 39:3-33.5).

    L. 1987,c.374.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.40
39:3-27.40.  Other laws unaffected
     Notwithstanding the provisions of this act, laws and regulations which are in existence as of the effective date of this act and which provide for the issuance of specific types of special registration plates shall remain operative.

    L. 1987,c.374.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.41
39:3-27.41.  Special purple heart veteran plates; plates to surviving spouse
     The surviving spouse of a purple heart veteran who is eligible to operate a motor vehicle in this State under the provision of R.S.39:3-10 may retain the special organization vehicle registration plates obtained by the deceased spouse pursuant to P.L.1987, c.374 (C.39:3-27.35 et seq.) for display on a motor vehicle registered to the surviving spouse under the provision of R.S.39:3-4.

    L.1989,c.117,s.3.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.42
39:3-27.42.  Special registration plates for mayor, chief executive of municipality, fee, violation, penalty, rules, regulations 
     a.   Upon the application of any person who is the mayor or chief executive of a municipality in this State, the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles shall issue special registration plates bearing the word "mayor" in addition to the registration number and other markings or identification prescribed by law for display on a motor vehicle owned or leased by the applicant.  Only one set of special registration plates shall be issued to an applicant.  The special plates shall be displayed only on the vehicle for which they were issued. 

    b.   The special registration plates authorized by this section shall be issued upon proof to the director in the form of a notarized letter from the clerk of the municipality in which the applicant is the mayor or chief executive verifying that the applicant is the mayor or chief executive. 

    c.   The fee for the motor vehicle registration plates issued under this section shall be $25.00, in addition to the fees otherwise prescribed by law for the registration of motor vehicles.  The fees collected for the issuance of these special plates shall be appropriated to the Division of Motor Vehicles to fund the additional costs incurred for the issuance of the plates.

    d.   A person possessing special registration plates issued under this section who ceases to be the mayor or chief executive of a municipality shall surrender the plates to the director within 30 days after leaving office.  If the special registration plates are not surrendered to the director within 30 days, the director may revoke the registration of the motor vehicle for which the special plates were issued. 

    e.   A person who violates a provision of this section shall be fined $50.00.

 

    f.   The Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) necessary to effectuate the purpose of this act. 

    L.1991,c.168,s.1. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.43
39:3-27.43.  Purple heart emblem may be affixed to license plates
     1.   A person who is an active member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart may affix a purple heart emblem which has been approved by the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles to a license plate issued for a motor vehicle owned or leased by that member. 

    L.1991,c.232,s.1. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.44
39:3-27.44.  Rules, regulations 
     2.   The Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the use, design, materials and placement of purple heart emblems on license plates issued for motor vehicles owned or leased by active members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. 

    L.1991,c.232,s.2. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.45
39:3-27.45.  Special license plates, insignia for Silver Star medal holders
 1.  a.  Upon application of any person who is the holder of a Silver Star medal as certified on the applicant's DD-214 form or on a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, the director shall issue, for the motor vehicle owned or leased by the person, distinctive 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 "Silver Star" and depict the Silver Star emblem.  There shall be no cost to the applicant for these special plates other than the fees otherwise prescribed by law for the registration of motor vehicles.

 b. The surviving spouse of a former holder of the Silver Star who is eligible to operate a motor vehicle in this State under the provision of R.S.39:3-10 may retain the special license plates obtained by the deceased spouse pursuant to this section for display on a motor vehicle registered to the surviving spouse under the provisions of R.S.39:3-4.

 c. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the issuance and use of these registration plates.

 d. A person who is issued a Silver Star special plate may affix a silver star insignia which has been approved by the director to the license plate.  The director shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the use, design, materials and placement of an insignia on the Silver Star special license plate.

 L.1992,c.154,s.1; amended 1999, c.127.
 
NJSA 39:3-27.46
39:3-27.46.  "Combat Infantryman Badge" plates
    1.  a.  Upon application of any person who is the holder of a Combat Infantryman Badge, as certified on the applicant's DD-214 form or on a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, the director shall issue, for the motor vehicle owned or leased by the person, distinctive 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 Infantryman Badge" and depict the Combat Infantryman Badge emblem.  The fee for these plates shall be $15 in addition to the fees otherwise prescribed by law for the registration of motor vehicles. 

   b.   The surviving spouse of a former holder of the Combat Infantryman Badge who is eligible to operate a motor vehicle in this State under the provisions of R.S.39:3-10 may retain the special license plates obtained by the deceased spouse pursuant to this section for display on a motor vehicle registered to the surviving spouse under the provisions of R.S.39:3-4. 

   c.   The director shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the issuance and use of these registration plates. 

   L.1993,c.72,s.1. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.47
39:3-27.47.  Definitions 
    1.   As used in this act:

   "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Environmental Protection and Energy; 

   "Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection and Energy;

   "Director" means the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Law and Public Safety; 

   "Division" means the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Law and Public Safety; 

   "Fund" means the "Coastal Protection Trust Fund" created pursuant to section 4 of this act. 

   L.1993,c.168,s.1. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.48
39:3-27.48.  Issuance of coastal protection license plates 
    2.   The Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles shall, upon proper application therefor, issue coastal protection license plates for any motor vehicle owned or leased and registered in the State. In addition to the registration number and other markings or identification otherwise prescribed by law, a coastal protection license plate shall display words or a slogan and an emblem indicating support for, or an interest in, the protection of the coastal resources of this State.  The words or slogan and emblem shall be chosen by the director; however, the director shall solicit, in conjunction with the Legislature, input from the general public on the design of the plate and shall review the submissions prior to choosing the design.  Issuance of coastal protection license plates in accordance with this section shall be subject to the limitations of section 3 of P.L.1959, c.56 (C.39:3-33.5) and other applicable requirements of chapter 3 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, except as hereinafter otherwise specifically provided. 

   L.1993,c.168,s.2. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.49
39:3-27.49.  Application, fee
    3.  a.  Application for issuance of a coastal protection license plate shall be made to the division on forms and in a manner as may be prescribed by the director.  In order to be deemed complete, an application shall be accompanied by a fee of $50, which fee shall be in addition to the fee for the renewal of the registration certificate, payable to the division. 

   b.   The annual fee for the registration certificate of a motor vehicle that has been issued a coastal protection license plate pursuant to the provisions of this act shall include in each year subsequent to the year of issuance a coastal protection license plate fee in the amount of $10, which fee shall be in addition to the fee for the renewal of the registration certificate, collected by the division and deposited into the Coastal Protection Trust Fund created pursuant to section 4 of this act. 

   L.1993,c.168,s.3. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.50
39:3-27.50.  "Coastal Protection Trust Fund;" special emergency account created 
    4.  a.  There is created in the Department of the Treasury a special non-lapsing fund to be known as the "Coastal Protection Trust Fund."  There shall be deposited in the fund the amount collected from all license plate fees collected pursuant to section 3 of this act, less the amounts necessary to reimburse the division for administrative costs pursuant to section 5 of this act.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection b. of this section, moneys deposited in the fund shall be dedicated to the purposes set forth in section 6 of this act.  Moneys deposited in the fund shall be held in interest-bearing accounts in public depositories as defined pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1970, c.236 (C.17:9-41), and may be invested or reinvested in such securities as are approved by the State Treasurer.  Interest or other income earned on moneys deposited into the fund, and any moneys which may be appropriated or otherwise become available for the purposes of the fund, shall be credited to and deposited in the fund for use as set forth in this act. 

   b.   There is created within the "Coastal Protection Trust Fund" a special emergency reserve account, to which shall annually be credited the amount of license plate fees collected in excess of $1,000,000 during the year.  The commissioner may, pursuant to specific appropriations made by law, use moneys deposited in the special emergency reserve account to: 

   (1)  finance shore protection projects of an emergency nature in the event of storm, stress of weather or similar act of God; and 

   (2)  provide for the cleanup of discharges of pollutants or contaminants discharged into the ocean waters of this State. 

   L.1993,c.168,s.4. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.51
39:3-27.51.  Reimbursement to division prior to deposit of license plate fees 
    5.  a.  Prior to the deposit of license plate fees collected pursuant to section 3 of this act into the fund, amounts thereof as are necessary shall be used to reimburse the division for all costs reasonably and actually incurred, as stipulated by the director, for: 

   (1)  producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of coastal protection license plates; and 

   (2)  any initial fees, in an amount not to exceed $150,000, collected from the issuance of coastal protection license plates to be allocated to the division to pay the cost of any computer programming changes that may be necessary to implement the coastal protection license plate program established by this act. 

   b.   The director shall annually certify to the commissioner the average cost per license plate incurred in the immediately preceding year by the division in producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of coastal protection license plates. The annual certification of the average cost per license plate shall be approved by the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, or its successor. 

   c.   In the event that the average cost per license plate as certified by the director and approved by the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, or its successor, is greater than the $50 application fee established in subsection a. of section 3 of this act in two consecutive fiscal years, the director may discontinue the issuance of coastal protection license plates. 

   L.1993,c.168,s.5. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.52
39:3-27.52.  Recommendation for appropriation; distribution
  6.  a.  The Governor shall include in the annual budget recommendations to the Legislature pursuant to section 11 of article 3 of P.L.1944, c.112 (C.52:27B-20), a recommendation for an appropriation from the fund for the purposes set forth in this section.  The Legislature shall annually appropriate to the department from the first $1,000,000 in license plate fees collected pursuant to section 3 of this act and deposited in the fund: 

   (1)  An amount not to exceed $600,000 for the cost of any program of the department, or conducted in cooperation with the Department of Corrections that utilizes prisoners to clean up or maintain beaches or shores; 

   (2)  An amount not to exceed $200,000 for the cost of providing aircraft overflights for monitoring, surveillance and enforcement activities of the Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program established by the department; 

   (3)  An amount not to exceed $150,000 for establishment of a program of grants for the construction of sewage pump-out devices for marine sanitation devices and portable toilet emptying receptacles at public or private marinas or boatyards in furtherance of the provisions of P.L.1988, c.117 (C.58:10A-56 et seq.); and 

   (4)  An amount not to exceed $50,000 to implement the provisions of the "New Jersey Adopt a Beach Act," P.L.1992, c.213 (C.13:19-22 et seq.). 

   b.   If an amount less than $1,000,000 is collected from license plate fees pursuant to section 3 of this act in any given year, the amounts provided in paragraph (1) through paragraph (4), inclusive, of this subsection shall be reduced proportionately, and no amounts shall be credited to the special emergency reserve account created pursuant to subsection b. of section 4 of this act. 

   L.1993,c.168,s.6. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.53
39:3-27.53.  Notification to eligible motorists 
    7.   The director shall notify eligible motorists of the opportunity to obtain coastal protection license plates by including a notice with all motor vehicle registration renewals, and by posting appropriate posters or signs in all division facilities and offices, as may be provided by the department. The notices, posters, and signs shall be designed by the commissioner.  The designs shall be subject to the approval of the director, and the commissioner shall supply the division with the notices, posters, and signs to be circulated or posted by that division. 

   L.1993,c.168,s.7. 
 
NJSA 39:3-27.54
39:3-27.54.  Interagency memorandum of agreement 
    8.   The commissioner, the director, and the State Treasurer shall develop and enter into an interagency memorandum of agreement setting forth the procedures to be followed by the department and the division in carrying out their respective responsibilities under this act. 

   L.1993,c.168,s.8.