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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
neurodiversity services special plates
Purpose
Establishes a neurodiversity services and research special plate and the Neurodiversity Services and Research Special Plate Fund (Fund).
Background
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division provides one license plate to every motor vehicle owner for each vehicle registered (A.R.S. § 28-2351). ADOT is required to issue or renew special plates in lieu of regular license plates under specified conditions and procedures (A.R.S. § 28-2403). The fee for obtaining or renewing a special plate is $25 (A.R.S. § 28-2402). Of the $25 fee, $8 is an administration fee that ADOT deposits in the State Highway Fund (SHF) and $17 is a donation.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires ADOT to issue a neurodiversity services and research special plate if, by December 31, 2024, a person pays the $32,000 implementation fee.
2. Requires the person that pays the $32,000 implementation fee to design the neurodiversity services and research special plate.
3. Subjects the design and color of the neurodiversity services and research special plate to the approval of ADOT.
4. Allows the Director of ADOT (Director) to combine a request for a neurodiversity services and research special plate with a request for a personalized special plate.
5. Specifies that a combined request must be submitted in a form prescribed by the Director and is subject to the fees for both the neurodiversity services and research special plate and personalized special plate.
6. Specifies that, of the $25 fee required to obtain or renew a neurodiversity services and research special plate, $8 is an administration fee and $17 is an annual donation.
7. Establishes the Fund which is to be administered by the Director.
8. Requires ADOT to deposit all special plate administration fees in the SHF and transmit neurodiversity services and research special plate donations to the Fund.
9. Requires the first $32,000 in the Fund to be reimbursed to the entity that paid the implementation fee.
10. Requires the Director to annually allocate Fund monies to two 501(c)(3) organizations that are engaged with the neurodiversity community.
11. Requires one entity to:
a) 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;
b) offer nearly 20 programs and services rooted in applied behavior analysis and provide community outreach and training; and
c) 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.
12. Requires the other entity to:
a) 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;
b) have a property that is 81,000 square feet and that contains a 63-unit apartment community set in an urban area; and
c) have an institute that leverages the 63-unit apartment to serve as a research and development site and support the replication of residential and postsecondary education models through collaboration among the public, private, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.
13. Requires, on notice from the Director, the State Treasurer to invest and divest Fund monies and credit monies earned to the Fund.
14. Specifies that Fund monies are continuously appropriated.
15. Makes technical and conforming changes.
16. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 8, 2024
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