SB2923

Report Title:

License Plates; Special Environmental Preservation

 

Description:

Directs each county to design environmental license plates. Specifies design elements.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2923
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the environment.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Findings and purpose. The legislature finds that the natural physical environment of Hawaii is of significant value to the people of our State, and that a means to support the environment would be worthy of state support.

The legislature further finds that during the past decade, funding to preserve and protect the environment has dropped dramatically, and that a permanent independent source of funding to increase funding would support protection efforts and education programs relating to the environment. The legislature further finds that other states have utilized license plate sales, collectible stamps, and credit cards with great success as a way to raise money to protect the environment.

The purpose of this Act is to reaffirm the State’s commitment to the protection of Hawaii’s environment by creating long-term supplemental funding sources generated from the voluntary purchase and use of environmental license plates, collectible stamps, and credit cards, and other programs as may be authorized under this Act.

SECTION 2. Chapter 249, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§249-   Special number plates; environmental preservation. (a) In addition to the number plates contracted on behalf of the counties, the directors of finance shall provide environmental preservation license plates for their respective counties.

(b) The design of the plates shall include an illustration of the taro plant to symbolize Hawaii's environmental heritage. The illustration shall be imprinted on the left side of the license plates in a manner similar to congressional and honorary consul license plates. The design shall be approved by the directors of finance and the county chiefs of police for their respective counties. The environmental preservation license plate shall be readily identifiable and distinguishable under actual traffic conditions. Except for color and design, environmental protection license plates shall comply with applicable law.

(c) The initial application fee and annual renewal fee for the environmental preservation license plate shall be as designated in section 249-9.1. These fees shall not be refundable. The county directors of finance shall retain a portion of the fees collected under this section sufficient to cover the costs of administering the environmental preservation license plate program for their respective counties. Any remaining moneys shall be utilized to fund environmental programs as approved by the director of the office of environmental quality control.

(d) Registration certificates and license plates issued under this section shall not be transferred to any other person upon transfer of ownership of a vehicle, except upon application and payment of the fee as provided in this section. Prior to the transfer of ownership of the vehicle to another party, the environmental preservation license plates shall be surrendered to the county director of finance as a prerequisite to the issuance of replacement plates."

SECTION 3. Chapter 195, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§195- Products to support the environment. (a) There is established within the department a program to financially benefit the environment by the development of environmentally-themed products such as collectible stamps, credit cards, and coins to be commercially sold to the public.

(b) Each product developed under this program shall require the approval of the chairperson and the governor, after consultation with appropriate environmental organizations.

(c) Except for direct costs to administer, produce, and market the products, all revenues from the sale of products under this section shall be paid into the natural area reserve fund. Direct costs shall not exceed per cent of the total annual revenues for each product.

(d) An annual report by the department of the program's products, costs, and revenues shall be submitted to the legislature twenty days before each regular session."

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________