Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §456-C is enacted to read:

§456-C.__Elks registration plates

The Secretary of State shall issue registration plates for the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, referred to in this section as "the Elks," beginning November 1, 2006 in accordance with this section and the guidelines of section 468.__Elks plates are not required for registration of a motor vehicle but are to allow citizens to participate voluntarily to fund special programs that this organization supports.

1.__Elks registration plate.__The Secretary of State, upon receiving an application and evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482, the registration fee required by section 501 and the administrative fee and voluntary contribution provided for in subsection 2, shall issue a registration certificate and a set of Elks registration plates to be used in lieu of regular registration plates.__These plates must bear identification numbers and letters.

2.__Administrative fee and contribution to special programs.__ A person may contribute to the Elks Special Programs Fund established under subsection 5 by applying for the special registration plates and submitting, in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee, a sum of $20 credited as follows:

A.__Ten dollars to the Elks Special Programs Fund established under subsection 5; and

B.__Ten dollars to the Specialty License Plate Fund as established in section 469 for administrative and production costs.

3.__Design.__A sponsor must submit a design for the Elks special registration plate to the Secretary of State for approval or modification in accordance with section 468, subsection 5.

4.__Renewal fee.__In addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee prescribed by law, the annual renewal contribution for Elks special registration plates is $15, which must be deposited with the Treasurer of State and credited as follows:

A.__Ten dollars to the Elks Special Programs Fund established under subsection 5; and