Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee has favorably advanced Senate Bill No. 781, complete with committee amendments. This legislation, poised to make a significant impact on the state’s motor vehicle landscape, authorizes the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to issue specialty license plates for registered nurses.
The bill outlines that these special license plates will feature the caduceus symbol, accompanied by the words “Registered Nurse.” The Chief Administrator holds the responsibility for selecting the design and color scheme of these plates, ensuring that they distinctively represent the nursing profession.
Applicants seeking these specialty plates will be required to pay an additional $50 fee, on top of the standard vehicle registration charges. This fee is part of the bill’s framework to manage the costs associated with the production and distribution of these unique license plates.
A crucial aspect of this bill is the financial oversight it mandates. The Chief Administrator must annually certify the average cost of producing, issuing, renewing, and promoting the specialty plates. Should the cost per plate exceed $50 for two consecutive fiscal years, there is a provision for the potential discontinuation of the program.
Moreover, the bill assigns the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting the task of identifying the initial funding source for the program. Until this funding source is determined, the commission is not obligated to design, produce, issue, or promote these specialty license plates, nor to make any related programming changes.
The bill’s implementation is contingent on the determination of this funding source. It stipulates that the provisions will become operative on the first day of the 13th month following this determination. Additionally, the bill is set to expire on the last day of the 12th month post-enactment if a funding source is not identified.
This legislation was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session and has undergone the necessary technical review, incorporating changes recommended during this process. The advancement of this bill marks a significant step in acknowledging and honoring the contributions of registered nurses in New Jersey.