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

§456-C.__National Guard registration plates

The Secretary of State shall issue registration plates for past and present members of the Maine National Guard, beginning November 1, 2006 in accordance with this section and the guidelines of section 468.__National Guard plates are not required for registration of a motor vehicle but are to allow past and present members of the National Guard to participate voluntarily to help fund the Maine Military Family Relief Fund established in Title 37-B, section 158.__The Adjutant General will provide confirmation of an applicant's past or present membership in the Maine National Guard to the Secretary of State upon request.

1.__National Guard 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 National Guard registration plates to be used in lieu of regular registration plates for past and present members of the National Guard upon proof of past or present service to the Maine National Guard.

2.__Administrative fee and contribution to special programs.__ A person who is a past or present member of the National Guard may contribute to the Maine Military Family Relief Fund under this section by applying for the special registration plates and submitting, in addition to the regular motor vehicle fee, a sum of $20 credited as follows:

A.__Ten dollars to the Maine Military Family Relief Fund under this section; and

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

3. Design.__The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Adjutant General, shall determine a design for the Maine National Guard registration plates.__The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters shall review the final design prior to manufacture of the plates.__The Secretary of State shall issue upon request Maine National Guard