ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: TI DPA 10-0-0-0

HB 2048: Arizona wine trail special plates

Sponsor: Representative Bliss, LD 1

Caucus & COW

Overview

Establishes the Arizona Wine Trail Special Plate and Fund.

History

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is required to provide every vehicle owner one license plate for every vehicle registered upon application and payment of fees (A.R.S. § 28- 2351). Statute requires ADOT to issue or renew special plates according to specified requirements (A.R.S. § 28-2403). An initial and annual renewal fee of $25 is required for the special plate in addition to the vehicle registration fees. Of the $25 special plate fee, $8 is an administrative fee and $17 is an annual donation (A.R.S. §§ 28-2402, 2404). Special plates require a standard $32,000 implementation fee.

All license plates, including special plates, that are designed or redesigned after September 24, 2022, are required to have: 1) the background color of the license plate contrast significantly with the color of the letters and numerals and the name of the state on the license plate; and 2) the name of the state appear on the license plate in capital letters in sans serif font with a height of three-fourths of an inch (A.R.S. § 28- 2351).

Provisions

1. Establishes the Arizona Wine Trail Special Plate and Fund if a person pays $32,000 to ADOT by December 31, 2024. (Sec. 3)

2. Requires the person who provides the $32,000 to design the Arizona Wine Trail Special Plate. (Sec. 3)

3. States that the design and color of the Arizona Wine Trail Special Plate are subject to the approval of ADOT. (Sec. 3)

4. Allows the Director of ADOT (Director) to combine requests for the Arizona Wine Trail Special Plate with requests for personalized special plates and subjects the request to additional fees. (Sec. 3)

5. Stipulates that of the $25 fee for the Arizona Wine Trail Special Plate, $8 is an administration fee and $17 is an annual donation. (Sec. 3)

6. Requires ADOT to deposit all Arizona Wine Trail Special Plate administration fees into the state Highway Fund and all donations into the Arizona Wine Trail Special Plate Fund (Fund). (Sec. 3)

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

8. Tasks the Director with administering the Fund. (Sec. 3)

9. Asserts that no more than 10% of monies in the Fund may be used for the cost of administering the Fund. (Sec. 3)

10. Stipulates that monies in the Fund are continuously appropriated. (Sec. 3)

11. Requires the Director to annually allocate monies from the Fund to an entity that is qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code for federal income tax purposes that:

a) has more than 20 winery members located in a designated American Viticultural Area in the north-central region of this state that has vineyards that are examples of sustainable practices making grapes an even more efficient water crop; and

b) encourages continued growth of the Viticultural Area by promoting water-friendly vineyard development and helping industry professionals play a more prominent role in advocating for responsible drinking. (Sec. 3)

12. Directs the State Treasurer, on notice from the Director, to invest and divest Fund monies and states that monies earned from investment must be credited to the Fund. (Sec. 3)

13. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1-2, 4-6)

Amendments

Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure

1. Changes the name of the Arizona Wine Trail Special Plate and Fund, to be known as the Northern Arizona Trail Special Plate and Fund.

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5. HB 2048

6. Initials LM Page 0 Caucus & COW

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