HP1123, LD 1529, item 2, Document Text

Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and inserting the following:

‘Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, it is important to recognize that the families who have borne the solemn burden of losing a loved one in the cause of freedom rightfully hold a special place among us; and

Whereas, the gold star family registration plates established in this legislation will help to show the gratitude and sympathy of the people of the State of Maine as the families continue to live their lives in quiet dignity; and

Whereas, recognizing the service of men and women in defense of their nation is long overdue; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §524-B is enacted to read:

§ 524-B. Gold star family registration plates

1. Eligibility. Notwithstanding the requirements in section 468-A, the Secretary of State, upon application and upon evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482 and the annual motor vehicle registration fee required by section 501, shall issue a registration certificate and a set of gold star family registration plates, to be used in lieu of regular registration plates, to:

A. A person who is eligible to receive a gold star lapel button under 10 United States Code, Section 1126 (2010); and

B. A grandparent of a member of the United States Armed Forces, if that member dies after March 28, 1973 as a result of:

(1) An international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the United States Secretary of Defense; or

(2) Military operations while serving outside the United States, including the commonwealths, territories and possessions of the United States, as a part of a peacekeeping force.

2. Application. An application for gold star family registration plates must be accompanied by proof that the applicant is eligible for the gold star lapel button. The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, shall verify the documentation presented by the applicant. Misrepresentation of documents is in violation of section 2103, subsection 5.

The Secretary of State may issue gold star family registration plates for display only on an automobile or pickup truck. An applicant may be issued gold star family registration plates for no more than one vehicle.

3. Design. The Secretary of State shall determine the design of the gold star family registration plate.

A person who does not operate a motor vehicle or register a motor vehicle and who otherwise qualifies for the issuance of gold star family registration plates may apply to the Secretary of State for a special single plate recognizing that award. The Secretary of State shall design and identify these special single plates for recognition purposes only. Special single plates may not be attached to a motor vehicle. Only one special single plate may be issued to each recipient at no fee.

The Secretary of State shall begin issuing gold star family registration plates in accordance with this section no later than October 1, 2011.

Sec. 2. Donations for gold star family registration plates. Any donations from any public or private source received by the Department of the Secretary of State for gold star family registration plates must be deposited into the Specialty License Plate Fund established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 469.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.’

SUMMARY

This amendment does the following.

1. It adds an emergency preamble and emergency clause to the bill.

2. It strikes the provision that proposes to allow the Secretary of State to issue gold star family registration plates for motorcycles.

3. It strikes the requirement that the Secretary of State issue gold star family registration plates that are also vanity plates.

4. It specifies that an applicant may be issued gold star family registration plates for no more than one vehicle.

5. It provides that a single gold star family registration plate, which may not be attached to a motor vehicle and is issued for recognition purposes only, is provided at no fee.

6. It changes the date by which the Secretary of State must begin issuing gold star family registration plates from January 1, 2012 to October 1, 2011.

7. It provides that any donations received for gold star family registration plates be deposited into the Specialty License Plate Fund.

HP1123 LD 1529	First Regular Session - 125th Maine Legislature C "A", Filing Number H-355, Sponsored by		LR 2144 Item 2
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