Authorizes creation of childhood cancer awareness license plates.
Impact
The bill establishes a unique revenue model for supporting childhood cancer research funded through the application fee of $50 and an annual renewal fee of $10 for these special license plates. The 'Childhood Cancer Awareness License Plate Fund' will manage the collected fees, with proceeds earmarked for the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research. This initiative signifies a proactive step towards addressing childhood cancer issues and raising public awareness, while also potentially providing financial relief to research initiatives focused on combating pediatric cancers.
Summary
Assembly Bill A2108 authorizes the creation of childhood cancer awareness license plates in New Jersey. The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission will oversee the issuance of these special plates, which will showcase words and images that promote awareness for childhood cancer. This initiative is designed to create both a visual representation of support and a funding source for pediatric cancer research through the associated fees collected from license plate applications and renewals.
Contention
One notable aspect of the bill is its requirement for initial funding, stipulating that no state or public funds will be used for the implementation costs of the license plate program. Instead, private funding from the WITH Grace Initiative and other private sources is needed for design and production costs, capped at $25,000. Additionally, the bill mandates that a minimum of 500 completed applications must be obtained before the program can proceed, which raises questions about the feasibility and public interest in such a specialized license plate initiative.