The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Jay R. Lueckel.
DIGEST
Morrell (SB 131)
Present law provides for special prestige license plates for automobiles, including the "Animal
Friendly" prestige license plate.
Present law provides that twenty-five dollars shall be charged for the Animal Friendly prestige
license plate and such avails from the charge on this prestige license plate shall be deposited into
the Pet Overpopulation Fund, which is to be used to provide reduced-cost sterilization of adult
animals to indigent pet owners. Present law also provides for a three dollar and fifty cent
handling fee for administrative costs of the Department of Public Safety, Office of Motor
Vehicles for the special prestige license plate.
Proposed law retains present law relative to the Animal Friendly prestige license plate. Proposed
law changes the $25 charge to a $25 royalty fee and distributes the avails of the royalty fee each
quarter to the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council, which is created under present law in the
office of the governor. Proposed law retains the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council and also
retains the handling fee for administrative costs in the Office of Motor Vehicles.
Proposed law provides that the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council shall distribute the monies
to qualified entities as provided by law.
Proposed law provides that the Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council may reserve or expend up
to five percent of the money received for the promotion and marketing of the prestige license
plate and for administrative costs relative to the distribution of the monies.
Proposed law retains present law that states any indigent pet owner on public assistance shall
qualify for low-cost services for animal population control.
Proposed law abolishes the Pet Overpopulation Fund upon the effective date of the proposed law
and provides that any monies remaining in the fund shall be transferred to the Escrow Fund. Such
monies shall be appropriated or otherwise distributed to the Pet Overpopulation Advisory
Council.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends 47:463.60(B), (C), (D)(intro para), and (E) and repeals R.S. 47:463.60(H))