ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session
	Senate: TTMC DP 5-2-0-0 | 3^rd Read 22-5-3-0

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SB1448: neurodiversity services special plates

Sponsor: Senator Bravo, LD 26

Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure

Overview

Establishes the Neurodiversity Services and Research 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 Neurodiversity Services and Research 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 Neurodiversity Services and Research Special Plate. (Sec. 3)

3. States that the design and color of the Neurodiversity Services and Research Special Plate are subject to the approval of ADOT. (Sec. 3)

4. Allows the Director of ADOT (Director) to combine requests for the Neurodiversity Services and Research 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 Neurodiversity Services and Research Special Plate, $8 is an administration fee and $17 is an annual donation. (Sec. 3)

6. Requires ADOT to deposit all Neurodiversity Services and Research Special Plate administration fees into the state Highway Fund and all donations into the Neurodiversity Services and Research 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 two entities that are qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code for federal income tax purposes and that are engaged with the neurodiversity community as follows:

a) one entity must:

i. be an internationally recognized leader that conducts innovative research, provides evidence-based practices, disseminates effective training and builds inclusive communities for individuals of all ages with autism and their families;

ii. offer nearly 20 programs and services rooted in applied behavior analysis and provide community outreach and training;

iii. have an innovative research program that brings together scientists and stakeholders to gain a better understanding of possible causes of autism, identify better treatments and educate others about how to improve the quality of life for those impacted;

b) one entity must:

i. advance innovative residential and community options for adults with autism, down syndrome, traumatic brain injury and other neurodiversities through its vision for fueling a new wave of real estate and community-integrated living options;

ii. have a property that is 81,000 square feet and that contains a 63-unit apartment community set in an urban area; and

iii. have an institute that leverages the property to serve as a research and development site and to support the replication of residential and postsecondary education models through collaboration among the public, private, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. (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)

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17.                   SB 1448

18. Initials LM           Page 0 Transportation & Infrastructure

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