ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session
	House: TRANS DP 10-0-0-2 │ 3^rd Read 43-13-4-0 Senate: TAT DP 7-0-2-0 │ 3^rd Read 24-2-4-0

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HB 2437: Arizona beekeepers special plates

Sponsor: Representative Longdon, LD 24

Transmitted to the Governor

Overview

Establishes the Arizona Beekeepers Special Plate and Fund.

History

Pursuant to (A.R.S. § 28-2351), the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is required to provide every vehicle owner one license plate for every vehicle registered upon application and on payment of prescribed fees. In accordance with (A.R.S. § 28-2403), special plates may be issued by ADOT in place of the regular license plate, upon application. An initial and annual renewal fee of $25 is required for the special plate in addition to the vehicle registration fees, with outlined exceptions (A.R.S. § 28-2402). Of the $25 special plate fee, $8 is an administrative fee and $17 is an annual donation to a specified organization. Special plates are established through statutory authority and require a standard $32,000 implementation fee from a person. Currently, there are 89 license plate types.

Provisions

1. Directs ADOT to issue an Arizona Beekeepers Special Plate by December 31, 2022, if a person pays $32,000 for its' implementation. (Sec. 3)

2. Requires the person that provides the $32,000 to design the special plate, subject to approval by ADOT. (Sec. 3)

3. Allows ADOT to combine requests for the special plate and a personalized plate, in a form prescribed by ADOT and subject to fees for both plates. (Sec. 3)

4. Establishes the Arizona Beekeeper Fund (Fund), to be administered by ADOT. (Sec. 3)

5. Requires that, of the $25 fee required to obtain and renew a special plate, $8 is an administrative fee and $17 is an annual donation. (Sec. 3)

6. Requires that the $8 administration fee be deposited into the State Highway Fund and the $17 annual donation be deposited into the Fund. (Sec. 3)

7. Requires that the first $32,000 in the Fund be reimbursed to the person who paid the implementation fee. (Sec. 3)

8. Requires that no more than 10% of the monies annually deposited in the Fund be used to administer the Fund. (Sec. 3)

9. States that monies in the Fund are continuously appropriated on a yearly basis. (Sec. 3)

10. Mandates that the money from the fund, excluding administrative fees be allocated to an entity that conforms to all of the following:

a)  Be located in this state;

b)  Have been in existence since 2017;

c) Have a mission to teach and encourage better methods among beekeepers in this state, to promote cooperation and sharing, to reach a common understanding regarding beekeeper problems and solutions and to stimulate the interest of the general public in the advantages and benefits of beekeeping;

d) Encourage the study of and research in apiculture with an emphasis on better methodology, increased production, public safety and improved marketing; and

e) Participate in outreach activities, including special events and visits to schools to teach and inform the general public about honeybees and the beekeeping industry. (Sec. 3)

11. States that on notice from the Director, the State Treasurer will invest and divest monies in the Fund and monies earned from investment will be credited to the Fund. (Sec. 3)

12. Makes conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6)

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                        HB 2437

Initials AC/JL  Page 0 Transmitted

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