Morrell (SB 131) Act No. 284
Prior law provided for special prestige license plates for automobiles, including the "Animal
Friendly" prestige license plate.
Prior law provided that $25 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. Prior law also provided for a $3.25 handling fee for
administrative costs of the Office of Motor Vehicles for the special prestige license plate.
New law retains prior law relative to the Animal Friendly prestige license plate. New 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 ("council"), which is created under prior
law in the office of the governor. New law retains the council and also retains the handling
fee for administrative costs in the Office of Motor Vehicles.
New law provides that the council shall distribute the monies to qualified entities as provided
by law.
New law provides that the 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.
New law retains prior law that states any indigent pet owner on public assistance shall qualify
for low-cost services for animal population control.
New law abolishes the Pet Overpopulation Fund upon the effective date of the new 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 council.
Effective upon signature of the governor (May 28, 2014).
(Amends 47:463.60(B), (C), (D)(intro para), and (E) and repeals R.S. 47:463.60(H))