ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

Senate: TTMC DP 5-2-0-0 | 3rd Read 24-4-2-0

House: TI DPA 10-1-0-0

SB 1561: wildland fire prevention special plates

Sponsor: Senator Bennett, LD 1

Caucus & COW

Overview

Establishes the Wildland Fire Prevention 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.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteEstablishes the Wildland Fire Prevention 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 Wildland Fire Prevention Special Plate. (Sec. 3)

3.   States that the design and color of the Wildland Fire Prevention Special Plates are subject to the approval of ADOT. (Sec. 3)

4.   Allows the Director of ADOT (Director) to combine requests for the Wildland Fire Prevention Special Plates with requests for personalized special plates and subjects the request to additional fees. (Sec. 3)

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

6.   Requires ADOT to deposit all Wildland Fire Prevention Special Plate administration fees into the state Highway Fund and all donations into the Wildland Fire Prevention 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 a vision of an exemplary, one-of-a-kind wildland fire learning center that honors the legacy of deceased hotshot crew firefighters by educating, inspiring and motivating visitors to adopt behaviors that prevent wildland fires, resulting in fewer fire-related fatalities;

b)   has a mission to establish and operate a wildland fire learning center that honors deceased hotshot crew firefighters by telling their story, displaying and housing artifacts and memorabilia and educating visitors about wildland fire, firefighting and prevention; and

c) has a board comprised of family members of deceased hotshot crew firefighters and community members. (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)

☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteAmendments

Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure

National Guard Special Plate

1.   Eliminates the requirement that the National Guard Special Plate only be issued to a person who submits satisfactory proof to ADOT that the person or their spouse is or has been a member of the Arizona National Guard.

2.   Removes the restriction for ADOT not to issue the National Guard Special Plate to a person, or to a person's spouse, who was discharged from the armed forces under conditions less than honorable.

3.   Renames the National Guard Member Special Plate to the National Guard Special Plate.

Pascua Yaqui Tribe Special Plate

4.   Extends the deadline, from December 31, 2023, to December 31, 2025, for when a person must pay $32,000 to ADOT to issue the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Special Plates.

Neurodiversity Services and Research Special Plate and Fund

5.   Establishes the Neurodiversity Services and Research Special Plate and Fund if a person pays $32,000 to ADOT by December 31st, 2024.

6.   Creates requirements for the implementation of the Neurodiversity Services and Research Special Plate and Fund, including instructing the Director of ADOT to annually allocate monies from the Neurodiversity Services and Research Fund to two 501(c)(3) entities that are engaged in 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.

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vii.                   SB 1561

viii.   Initials LM     Page 0 Caucus & COW

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