HB 2332 Text

Introduced Version House Bill 2332 History

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hb2332 intr H. B. 2332

(By Delegates Browning and Staton)
[Introduced February 14, 2005; referred to the
Committee on Roads and Transportation then the Judiciary.]

A BILL to amend and reenact §17A-3-14 of the code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to providing for a special license plate honoring coal miners and providing that certain proceeds go to a special fund for use by the National Coal Heritage Area Authority for the benefit of the national coal heritage area.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §17A-3-14 of the code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:

ARTICLE 3. ORIGINAL AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION; ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF TITLE.

§17A-3-14. Registration plates generally; description of plates; issuance of special numbers and plates; registration fees; special application fees; exemptions; commissioner to promulgate forms; suspension and nonrenewal.

(a) The Division upon registering a vehicle shall issue to the owner one registration plate for a motorcycle, trailer, semitrailer or other motor vehicle.
(b) Registration plates issued by the Division shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Every registration plate shall be of reflectorized material and have displayed upon it the registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it is issued; the name of this State, which may be abbreviated; and the year number for which it is issued or the date of expiration of the plate.
(2) Every registration plate and the required letters and numerals on the plate shall be of sufficient size to be plainly readable from a distance of one hundred feet during daylight: Provided, That the requirements of this subdivision shall not apply to the year number for which the plate is issued or the date of expiration.
(3) Registration numbering for registration plates shall begin with number two.
(c) The Division may not issue, permit to be issued or distribute any special registration plates except as follows:
(1) The Governor shall be issued two registration plates, on one of which shall be imprinted the numeral one and on the other the word one.
(2) State officials and judges may be issued special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue to the Secretary of State, State Superintendent of Schools, Auditor, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and the Attorney General, the members of both houses of the Legislature, including the elected officials of both houses of the Legislature, the justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the representatives and Senators of the State in the Congress of the United States, the judges of the West Virginia circuit courts, active and retired on senior status, the judges of the United States district courts for the State of West Virginia and the judges of the United States court of appeals for the fourth circuit, if any of the judges are residents of West Virginia, a special registration plate for a Class A motor vehicle and a special registration plate for a Class G motorcycle owned by the official or his or her spouse: Provided, That the Division may issue a Class A special registration plate for each vehicle titled to the official and a Class G special registration plate for each motorcycle titled to the official.
(B) Each plate issued pursuant to this subdivision shall bear any combination of letters and numbers not to exceed an amount determined by the Commissioner and a designation of the office. Each plate shall supersede the regular numbered plate assigned to the official or his or her spouse during the official's term of office and while the motor vehicle is owned by the official or his or her spouse.
(C) The Division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for every registration plate issued pursuant to this subdivision, which is in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(3) The Division may issue members of the national guard forces special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon receipt of an application on a form prescribed by the Division and receipt of written evidence from the chief executive officer of the army national guard or air national guard, as appropriate, or the commanding officer of any United States armed forces reserve unit that the applicant is a member thereof, the Division shall issue to any member of the national guard of this State or a member of any reserve unit of the United States armed forces a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner for any number of Class A motor vehicles owned by the member. Upon presentation of written evidence of retirement status, retired members of this State's army or air national guard, or retired members of any reserve unit of the United States armed forces, are eligible to purchase the special registration plate issued pursuant to this subdivision.
(B) The Division shall charge an initial application fee of ten dollars for each special registration plate issued pursuant to this subdivision, which is in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the Division shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this section.
(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's national guard forces license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.
(4) Specially arranged registration plates may be issued as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, any owner of a motor vehicle subject to Class A registration, or a motorcycle subject to Class G registration, as defined by this article, may request that the Division issue a registration plate bearing specially arranged letters or numbers with the maximum number of letters or numbers to be determined by the Commissioner. The Division shall attempt to comply with the request wherever possible.
(B) The Motor Vehicles shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code regarding the orderly distribution of the plates: Provided, That for purposes of this subdivision, the registration plates requested and issued shall include all plates bearing the numbers two through two thousand.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each special registration plate issued pursuant to this subdivision, which is in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(5) The Division may issue honorably discharged veterans special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue to any honorably discharged veteran of any branch of the armed services of the United States a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's honorably discharged veterans license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.
(6) The Division may issue disabled veterans special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue to any disabled veteran who is exempt from the payment of registration fees under the provisions of this chapter, a registration plate for a vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant which bears the letters "DV" in red and also the regular identification numerals in red.
(B) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's disabled veterans license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.
(C) A qualified disabled veteran may obtain a second disabled veteran license plate as described in this section for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The Division shall charge a one-time fee of ten dollars to be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this section, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the second plate.
(7) The Division may issue recipients of the distinguished purple heart medal special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, there shall be issued to any armed service person holding the distinguished purple heart medal for persons wounded in combat a registration plate for a vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant bearing letters or numbers. The registration plate shall be designed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and shall denote that those individuals who are granted this special registration plate are recipients of the purple heart. All letterings shall be in purple where practical.
(B) Registration plates issued pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from all registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's purple heart medal license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.
(D) A recipient of the purple heart medal may obtain a second purple heart medal license plate as described in this section for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The Division shall charge a one-time fee of ten dollars to be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this section, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the second plate.
(8) The Division may issue survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the owner of a motor vehicle who was enlisted in any branch of the armed services that participated in and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor on the seventh day of December, one thousand nine hundred forty-one, the Division shall issue a special registration plate for a vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The registration plate shall be designed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
(B) Registration plates issued pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from the payment of all registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.
(D) A survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor may obtain a second survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor license plate as described in this section for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The Division shall charge a one-time fee of ten dollars to be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this section, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the second plate.
(9) The Division may issue special registration plates to nonprofit charitable and educational organizations authorized under prior enactment of this subdivision as follows:
(A) Approved nonprofit charitable and educational organizations previously authorized under the prior enactment of this subdivision may accept and collect applications for special registration plates from owners of Class A motor vehicles together with a special annual fee of fifteen dollars, which is in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. The applications and fees shall be submitted to the Division of Motor Vehicles with the request that the Division issue a registration plate bearing a combination of letters or numbers with the organizations' logo or emblem, with the maximum number of letters or numbers to be determined by the Commissioner.
(B) The Commissioner shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code regarding the procedures for and approval of special registration plates issued pursuant to this subdivision.
(C) The Commissioner shall set an appropriate fee to defray the administrative costs associated with designing and manufacturing special registration plates for a nonprofit charitable or educational organization. The nonprofit charitable or educational organization shall collect this fee and forward it to the Division for deposit in a special revolving fund to pay the administrative costs. The nonprofit charitable or educational organization may also collect a fee for marketing the special registration plates.
(D) The Commissioner may not approve or authorize any additional nonprofit charitable and educational organizations to design or market special registration plates.
(10) The Division may issue specified emergency or volunteer registration plates as follows:
(A) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of the State of West Virginia and who is a certified paramedic or emergency medical technician, a member of a paid fire department, a member of the State Fire Commission, the State Fire Marshal, the state fire marshal's assistants, the State Fire Administrator and voluntary rescue squad members may apply for a special license plate for any number of Class A vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant which bears the insignia of the profession, group or commission. Any insignia shall be designed by the Commissioner. License plates issued pursuant to this subdivision shall bear the requested insignia in addition to the registration number issued to the applicant pursuant to the provisions of this article.
(B) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by an affidavit signed by the fire chief or department head of the applicant stating that the applicant is justified in having a registration with the requested insignia; proof of compliance with all laws of this State regarding registration and licensure of motor vehicles; and payment of all required fees.
(C) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by payment of a special initial application fee of ten dollars, which is in addition to any other registration or license fee required by this chapter. All special fees shall be collected by the Division and deposited into a special revolving fund to be used for the purpose of compensating the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and for the administration of this section.
(11) The Division may issue specified certified firefighter registration plates as follows:
(A) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of the State of West Virginia and who is a certified firefighter may apply for a special license plate which bears the insignia of the profession, for any number of Class A vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Any insignia shall be designed by the Commissioner. License plates issued pursuant to this subdivision shall bear the requested insignia pursuant to the provisions of this article. Upon presentation of written evidence of certification as a certified firefighter, certified firefighters are eligible to purchase the special registration plate, issued pursuant to this subdivision.
(B) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by an affidavit stating that the applicant is justified in having a registration with the requested insignia; proof of compliance with all laws of this State regarding registration and licensure of motor vehicles; and payment of all required fees. The firefighter certification department, section or Division of the West Virginia University Fire Service Extension shall notify the Commissioner in writing immediately when a firefighter loses his or her certification. If a firefighter loses his or her certification, the Commissioner may not issue him or her a license plate under this subsection.
(C) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by payment of a special initial application fee of ten dollars, which is in addition to any other registration or license fee required by this chapter. All special fees shall be collected by the Division and deposited into a special revolving fund to be used for the purpose of compensating the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and for the administration of this section.
(12) The Division may issue special scenic registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Commissioner shall issue a special registration plate displaying a scenic design of West Virginia which displays the words "Wild Wonderful" as a slogan.
(B) The Division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the Division shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.
(13) The Division may issue honorably discharged marine corps league members special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue to any honorably discharged marine corps league member a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles.
(B) The Division may charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's honorably discharged marine corps league license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.
(14) The Division may issue military organization registration plates as follows:
(A) The Division may issue a special registration plate for the members of any military organization chartered by the United States Congress upon receipt of a guarantee from the organization of a minimum of one hundred applicants. The insignia on the plate shall be designed by the Commissioner.
(B) Upon appropriate application, the Division may issue members of the chartered organization in good standing, as determined by the governing body of the chartered organization, a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.
(C) The Division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars for each special license plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the Division shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.
(D) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's military organization registration plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the special military organization registration plate.
(15) The Division may issue special nongame wildlife registration plates and special wildlife registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue a special registration plate displaying a species of West Virginia wildlife which shall display a species of wildlife native to West Virginia as prescribed and designated by the Commissioner and the Director of the Division of Natural Resources.
(B) The Division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each special nongame wildlife registration plate and each special wildlife registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All annual fees collected for nongame wildlife registration plates and wildlife registration plates shall be deposited in a special revenue account designated the nongame wildlife fund and credited to the Division of Natural Resources.
(C) The Division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the Division shall be deposited in a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.
(16) The Division may issue members of the silver haired legislature special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue to any person who is a duly qualified member of the silver haired legislature a specialized registration plate which bears recognition of the applicant as a member of the silver haired legislature.
(B) A qualified member of the silver haired legislature may obtain one registration plate described in this subdivision for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The Division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the plate. All annual fees collected by the Division shall be deposited in a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.
(17) Upon appropriate application, the Commissioner shall issue to a classic motor vehicle or classic motorcycle as defined in section three-a, article ten of this chapter, a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner. An annual fee of fifteen dollars, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, shall be charged for each classic registration plate.
(18) Honorably discharged veterans may be issued special registration plates for motorcycles subject to Class G registration as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, there shall be issued to any honorably discharged veteran of any branch of the armed services of the United States, a special registration plate for any number of motorcycles subject to Class G registration titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles.
(B) A special initial application fee of ten dollars shall be charged in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's honorably discharged veterans license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.
(19) Racing theme special registration plates:
(A) The Division may issue a series of special registration plates displaying national association for stock car auto racing themes.
(B) An annual fee of twenty-five dollars shall be charged for each special racing theme registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All annual fees collected for each special racing theme registration plate shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.
(C) A special application fee of ten dollars shall be charged at the time of initial application as well as upon application for any duplicate or replacement registration plate, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All application fees shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.
(20) The Division may issue recipients of the navy cross, distinguished service cross, distinguished flying cross, air force cross, bronze star or silver star special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue to any recipient of the navy cross, distinguished service cross, distinguished flying cross, air force cross, silver star or bronze star, a registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant bearing letters or numbers. A separate registration plate shall be designed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for each award that denotes that those individuals who are granted this special registration plate are recipients of the navy cross, distinguished service cross, distinguished flying cross, air force cross, silver star or bronze star, as applicable.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section exempts the applicant for a special registration plate under this subdivision from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's navy cross, distinguished service cross, distinguished flying cross, air force cross, silver star or bronze star special registration plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the special registration plate.
(21) The Division may issue honorably discharged veterans special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue to any honorably discharged veteran of any branch of the armed services of the United States with verifiable service during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War or the War against Terrorism, a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner denoting service in the applicable conflict.
(B) The Division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing contained in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's honorably discharged veterans registration plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the special registration plate.
(22) The Division may issue special volunteer firefighter registration plates as follows:
(A) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of West Virginia and who is a volunteer firefighter may apply for a special license plate for any Class A vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant which bears the insignia of the profession in white letters on a red background. The insignia shall be designed by the Commissioner and shall contain a fireman's helmet insignia on the left side of the license plate.
(B) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by an affidavit signed by the applicant's fire chief, stating that the applicant is a volunteer firefighter and justified in having a registration plate with the requested insignia. The applicant must comply with all other laws of this State regarding registration and licensure of motor vehicles and must pay all required fees.
(C) Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by payment of a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars, which is in addition to any other registration or license fee required by this chapter. All application fees shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.
(23) The Division may issue special registration plates which reflect patriotic themes, including the display of any United States symbol, icon, phrase or expression, which evokes patriotic pride or recognition.
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue to an applicant a registration plate of the applicant's choice, displaying a patriotic theme as provided in this subdivision, for a vehicle titled in the name of the applicant. A series of registration plates displaying patriotic themes shall be designed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for distribution to applicants.
(B) The Division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(24) Special license plates bearing the American flag and the logo "9/11/01".
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue special registration plates which shall display the American flag and the logo "9/11/01".
(B) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(C) A special application fee of ten dollars shall be charged at the time of initial application as well as upon application for any duplicate or replacement registration plate, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All application fees shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.
(25) The Division may issue a special registration plate celebrating the centennial of the 4-H youth development movement and honoring the Future Farmers of America Organization as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division may issue a special registration plate depicting the symbol of the 4-H Organization which represents the head, heart, hands and health as well as the symbol of the Future Farmers of America Organization which represents a cross section of an ear of corn for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) The Division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each special 4-H Future Farmers of America registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(26) The Division may issue special registration plates to educators in the State's elementary and secondary schools and in the State's institutions of higher education as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division may issue a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) The Division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each special educator registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(27) The Division may issue special registration plates to members of the Nemesis Shrine as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division may issue a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof of membership in Nemesis Shrine.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the time period for the Nemesis Shrine to comply with the minimum one hundred prepaid applications is hereby extended to the fifteenth day of January, two thousand five.
(28) The Division may issue volunteers and employees of the American Red Cross special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue to any person who is a duly qualified volunteer or employee of the American Red Cross a specialized registration plate which bears recognition of the applicant as a volunteer or employee of the American Red Cross for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(29) The Division shall issue special registration plates to individuals who have received either the combat infantry badge or the combat medic badge as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof that they have received either the combat infantry badge or the combat medic badge.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(30) The Division may issue special registration plates to members of the Knights of Columbus as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof of membership in the Knights of Columbus.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the time period for the Knights of Columbus to comply with the minimum one hundred prepaid applications is hereby extended to the fifteenth day of January, two thousand five.
(31) The Division may issue special registration plates to former members of the Legislature as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof of former service as an elected or appointed member of the West Virginia House of Delegates or the West Virginia Senate.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section. The design of the plate shall indicate total years of service in the Legislature.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(32) Democratic state or county executive committee member special registration plates:
(A) The Division shall design and issue special registration plates for use by democratic state or county executive committee members. The design of the plates shall include an insignia of a donkey and shall differentiate by wording on the plate between state and county executive committee members.
(B) An annual fee of twenty-five dollars shall be charged for each democratic state or county executive committee member registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All annual fees collected for each special plate issued under this subdivision shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.
(C) A special application fee of ten dollars shall be charged at the time of initial application as well as upon application for any duplicate or replacement registration plate, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All application fees shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.
(D) The Division shall not begin production of a plate authorized under the provisions of this subdivision until the Division receives at least one hundred completed applications from the state or county executive committee members, including all fees required pursuant to this subdivision.
(E) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, the time period for the democratic executive committee to comply with the minimum one hundred prepaid applications is hereby extended to the fifteenth day of January, two thousand five.
(33) The Division may issue honorably discharged female veterans special registration plates as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, there shall be issued to any female honorably discharged veteran, of any branch of the armed services of the United States, a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles to designate the recipient as a woman veteran.
(B) A special initial application fee of ten dollars shall be charged in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any veteran from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his deceased spouse's honorably discharged veterans license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.
(34) The Division may issue special registration plates bearing the logo, symbol, insignia, letters or words demonstrating association with West Liberty State College to any resident owner of a motor vehicle. Resident owners may apply for the special license plate for any number of Class A vehicles titled in the name of the applicant. The special registration plates shall be designed by the Commissioner. Each application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be accompanied by payment of a special initial application fee of fifteen dollars, which is in addition to any other registration or license fee required by this chapter. The Division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each special educator registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All special fees shall be collected by the Division and deposited into a special revolving fund to be used for the purpose of compensating the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and for the administration of this section.
(35) The Division may issue special registration plates to members of the Harley Owners Group as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division may issue a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof of membership in the Harley Owners Group.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(36) The Division may issue special registration plates for persons retired from any branch of the armed services of the United States as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, there shall be issued to any person who has retired after service in any branch of the armed services of the United States, a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles to designate the recipient as retired from the armed services of the United States.
(B) A special initial application fee of ten dollars shall be charged in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of a special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt any registrants from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's retired military license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.
(37) The Division may issue special registration plates bearing the logo, symbol, insignia, letters or words demonstrating association with or support for Fairmont State College as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division may issue a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(38) The Division may issue special registration plates honoring the farmers of West Virginia as follows:
(A) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of West Virginia may apply for a special license plate depicting a farming scene or other apt reference to farming, whether in pictures or words, at the discretion of the Commissioner.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(39) The Division shall issue special registration plates promoting education as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue a special registration plate displaying a children's education-related theme as prescribed and designated by the Commissioner and the State Superintendent of Schools.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section: Provided, That nothing in this section exempts the applicant for a special registration plate under this subdivision from any other provision of this chapter.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(40) The Division may issue members of the 82nd Airborne Division Association special registration plates as follows:
(A) The Division may issue a special registration plate for members of the 82nd Airborne Division Association upon receipt of a guarantee from the organization of a minimum of one hundred applicants. The insignia on the plate shall be designed by the Commissioner.
(B) Upon appropriate application, the Division may issue members of the 82nd Airborne Division Association in good standing, as determined by the governing body of the organization, a special registration plate for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.
(C) The Division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars for each special license plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the Division shall be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter: Provided, That nothing in this section may be construed to exempt the applicant from any other provision of this chapter.
(D) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's special 82nd Airborne Division Association registration plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the special registration plate.
(41) The Division may issue special registration plates to survivors of wounds received in the line of duty as a member with a West Virginia law-enforcement agency.
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue to any member of a municipal police department, sheriff's department, the State Police or the law-enforcement division of the Department of Natural Resources who has been wounded in the line of duty and awarded a purple heart in recognition thereof by the West Virginia Chiefs of Police Association, the West Virginia Sheriffs' Association, the West Virginia Troopers Association or the Division of Natural Resources a special registration plate for one vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant with an insignia appropriately designed by the Commissioner.
(B) Registration plates issued pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from the registration fees otherwise required by the provisions of this chapter.
(C) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's special registration plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the plate.
(D) Survivors of wounds received in the line of duty as a member with a West Virginia law-enforcement agency may obtain a license plate as described in this section for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The Division shall charge a one-time fee of ten dollars to be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this section, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the second plate.
(42) The Division may issue a special registration plate for persons who are Native Americans and residents of this State.
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue to an applicant who is a Native American resident of West Virginia a registration plate for a vehicle titled in the name of the applicant with an insignia designed by the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles to designate the recipient as a Native American.
(B) The Division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(43) The Division may issue special registration plates commemorating the centennial anniversary of the creation of Davis and Elkins College as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division may issue a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner to commemorate the centennial anniversary of Davis and Elkins College for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the applicant.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(44) The Division may issue special registration plates recognizing and honoring breast cancer survivors.
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division may issue a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner to recognize and honor breast cancer survivors, such plate to incorporate somewhere in the design the "pink ribbon emblem", for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the applicant.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(45) The Division may issue special registration plates to members of the Knights of Pythias or Pythian Sisters as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division may issue a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant. Persons desiring the special registration plate shall offer sufficient proof of membership in the Knights of Pythias or Pythian Sisters.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) An annual fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for each plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(46) The Commissioner may issue special registration plates for whitewater rafting enthusiasts as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division may issue a special registration plate designed by the Commissioner for any number of vehicles titled in the name of the qualified applicant.
(B) The Division shall charge a special initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by law. This special fee is to compensate the Division of Motor Vehicles for additional costs and services required in the issuing of the special registration and shall be collected by the Division and deposited in a special revolving fund to be used for the administration of this section.
(C) The Division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each special registration plate in addition to all other fees required by this chapter.
(47) The Division may issue special registration plates honoring coal miners as follows:
(A) Upon appropriate application, the Division shall issue a special registration plate depicting and displaying coal miners in mining activities as prescribed and designated by the Commissioner and the board of the National Coal Heritage Area Authority.
(B) The Division shall charge an annual fee of fifteen dollars for each registration plate depicting and displaying coal miners in mining activities in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All annual fees collected for registration plates depicting and displaying coal miners in mining activities shall be deposited in a special revenue account designated the Coal Miner Heritage Fund and credited to the National Coal Heritage Area Authority to be used by the Authority for the benefit of the National Coal Heritage Area.
(C) The Division shall charge a special one-time initial application fee of ten dollars in addition to all other fees required by this chapter. All initial application fees collected by the Division shall be deposited in a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.
(d) The Commissioner shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code regarding the proper forms to be used in making application for the special license plates authorized by this section. The Commissioner may not begin the design or production of any license plates for which eligibility is based on membership or affiliation with a particular private organization until at least one hundred persons complete an application and deposit a check to cover the first year's basic registration, one-time design and manufacturing costs and to cover the first year additional annual fee. If the organization fails to submit the required number of applications with attached checks within six months of the effective date of the authorizing legislation, the plate will not be produced and will require legislative reauthorization: Provided, That the six-month requirement in this subsection does not apply to subdivisions (1) through (26), inclusive, subsection (c) of this section.
(e)(1) Nothing in this section requires a charge for a free prisoner of war license plate or a free recipient of the congressional medal of honor license plate for a vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant as authorized by other provisions of this code.
(2) A surviving spouse may continue to use his or her deceased spouse's prisoner of war or congressional medal of honor license plate until the surviving spouse dies, remarries or does not renew the license plate.
(3) Qualified former prisoners of war and recipients of the congressional medal of honor may obtain a second special registration plate for use on a passenger vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant. The Division shall charge a one-time fee of ten dollars to be deposited into a special revolving fund to be used in the administration of this chapter, in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, for the second special plate.
(f) The Division may issue special ten-year registration plates as follows:
(1) The Commissioner may issue or renew for a period of no more than ten years any registration plate exempted from registration fees pursuant to any provision of this code or any restricted use antique motor vehicle license plate authorized by section three-a, article ten of this chapter: Provided, That the provisions of this subsection do not apply to any person who has had a special registration suspended for failure to maintain motor vehicle liability insurance as required by section three, article two-a, chapter seventeen-d of this code or failure to pay personal property taxes as required by section three-a of this article.
(2) An initial nonrefundable fee shall be charged for each special registration plate issued pursuant to this subsection, which is the total amount of fees required by section fifteen, article ten of this chapter, section three, article three of this chapter or section three-a, article ten of this chapter for the period requested.
(g) The provisions of this section may not be construed to exempt any registrant from maintaining motor vehicle liability insurance as required by section three, article two-a, chapter seventeen-d of this code or from paying personal property taxes on any motor vehicle as required by section three-a of this article.
(h) The Commissioner may, in his or her discretion, issue a registration plate of reflectorized material suitable for permanent use on motor vehicles, trailers and semitrailers, together with appropriate devices to be attached to the registration to indicate the year for which the vehicles have been properly registered or the date of expiration of the registration. The design and expiration of the plates shall be determined by the Commissioner.
(i) Any license plate issued or renewed pursuant to this chapter which is paid for by a check that is returned for nonsufficient funds is void without further notice to the applicant. The applicant may not reinstate the registration until the returned check is paid by the applicant in cash, money order or certified check and all applicable fees assessed as a result thereof have been paid.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide for the issuance of a special license plate honoring coal miners and providing for certain proceeds to go to a special fund for use by the National Coal Heritage Area Authority for the benefit of the National Coal Heritage Area.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.