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

§456-C.__Retired firefighter registration plates

The Secretary of State shall issue registration plates for a retired firefighter certified by an active fire chief or assistant fire chief or acting fire chief as retired in accordance with this section and section 468 beginning November 1, 2006.__ Retired firefighter registration plates are not required for registration of a motor vehicle but are to allow retired firefighters to participate voluntarily in funding fire prevention programs.

1.__Retired firefighter 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 annual motor vehicle 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 retired firefighter 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 Retired Firefighter Special Programs Fund under subsection 5 by applying for the retired firefighter registration plates and submitting, in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee, $20 credited as follows:

A.__Ten dollars to the Retired Firefighter Special Programs Fund under subsection 5; and

B.__Ten dollars to the Specialty License Plate Fund under section 469 for administration and production costs.

3. Design.__ A sponsor shall submit a design for the retired firefighter 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 retired firefighter registration plates is $15, which must be deposited with the Treasurer of State and credited as follows: