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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
wildland fire prevention special plates
Purpose
Establishes a wildland fire prevention special plate and the Wildland Fire Prevention 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 wildland fire prevention 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 wildland fire prevention special plate.
3. Subjects the design and color of the wildland fire prevention special plate to the approval of ADOT.
4. Allows the Director of ADOT (Director) to combine a request for a wildland fire prevention 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 wildland fire prevention special plate and personalized special plate.
6. Specifies that, of the $25 fee required to obtain or renew a wildland fire prevention 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 wildland fire prevention special plate donations to the Fund.
10. Requires the Director to annually allocate Fund monies to a 501(c)(3) organization that has:
a) 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) 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) a board comprised of family members of deceased hotshot crew firefighters and community members.
11. Requires, on notice from the Director, the State Treasurer to invest and divest Fund monies and credit monies earned to the Fund.
12. Specifies that Fund monies are continuously appropriated.
13. Makes technical and conforming changes.
14. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 8, 2024
KJA/mg