Authorizes issuance of special license plates for alumni of four-year public institutions of higher education.
Impact
Should A2116 be enacted, it will lead to the establishment of new statutes that enable the issuance of alumni license plates while creating a dedicated non-lapsing fund for each participating institution. The program is set to generate additional funds through a $50 application fee and a subsequent annual renewal fee of $10. Importantly, any surplus funds, after administrative costs are covered, will be appropriated to support alumni organizations, fostering community and alumni relations within higher education.
Summary
Bill A2116 proposes the establishment of a special license plate program for alumni of four-year public institutions of higher education in New Jersey. The bill mandates the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to create and administer this program, which aims to honor alumni by allowing them to drive vehicles with custom plates that display emblems or slogans linked to their alma mater. To initiate the program, each institution's alumni association must provide a minimum of 500 applications alongside an initial funding of up to $25,000 to cover the costs of producing and issuing the plates.
Contention
The bill maintains that it will not utilize any state or public funds for the initial costs of implementing the license plate program. Critics might argue that this reliance on private funding could challenge the equitable distribution of benefits across different institutions. Concerns may also arise regarding the logistical complexities involved in administering such a program, including the potential for disparities between institutions based on alumni engagement and fundraising capabilities. Additionally, there may be debates on the necessity and appropriateness of state-sponsored alumni recognition through vehicle registration.