Summary#
S.10699 would amend New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a section for “In God We Trust” license plates. Its stated goal is to make that plate available; the bill does not guarantee how many people will order one. It was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Rules Committee, so it is not law.
- New York residents would be entitled to request the plate, using an application form set by the motor vehicles commissioner.
- A plate would cost the regular registration fee plus an additional annual service charge of $25.
- The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) could design, produce and issue the plates only after receiving a $6,000 surety bond (a guarantee from an authorized surety company), unless it first receives at least 200 orders with the service charge paid for each.
- The bond could be discontinued if at least 200 sets are sold within two years after the plates first go on sale. If fewer are sold, the DMV could recover an amount from the bond proportionate to the shortfall.
- Service charges would go to the existing distinctive plate development fund and be used for plate design, production, advertising and distribution.
What it means for you#
- New York residents: If the bill becomes law and the plates are made available, you could request one. You would pay the regular registration fee and an additional $25 annual service charge.
- DMV: The department would set the application form and receive the orders, payments and, if required, the surety bond. The bill does not set out a review or approval process for individual requests.
- Surety companies: If the DMV does not receive 200 paid orders before design and production, an authorized surety company would have to provide the $6,000 bond.
- Current law: The materials do not include the parent laws, so I could not verify how this proposal compares with current specialty-plate rules or the existing fund.
Money#
The bill sets a $25 annual charge but gives no estimate of public costs or revenue; no publicly available information.
- The $25 charge would be added to the regular registration fee and deposited in the existing distinctive plate development fund for design, production, advertising and distribution.
- The bill requires a $6,000 bond unless the DMV receives at least 200 orders with the charge paid before design, production and issuance. Those advance charges would be non-refundable.
- If fewer than 200 sets are sold within two years after the plates first go on sale, the DMV could recover a proportionate amount against the bond. The bill does not state how that amount would be calculated.
What is unclear#
- The bill does not specify what the plate will look like or when it would be ready for sale.
- It leaves the application form and its details to the commissioner.
- It does not explain how the DMV would calculate the bond recovery if fewer than 200 sets sell.
- No publicly available information describes expected demand, administrative costs or how this plate would interact with other distinctive plates.
- If enacted, the main section would take effect 180 days after the bill becomes law. The bill’s bond rules would take effect immediately upon enactment.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the bill is that residents who want this message on their plates would have a defined way to request it.
- The service charge would help pay for the plate’s design, production, advertising and distribution through the existing fund.
- The bond requirement, or the alternative of 200 paid advance orders, could provide a financial safeguard before production begins.
Case against#
- The bill does not explain how the DMV would handle applications or what steps would be needed to produce the plates.
- Advance orders would be non-refundable, but the bill does not say when buyers would receive their plates or what would happen if production did not proceed.
- The $25 charge is annual, and the bill does not explain what portion, if any, would cover ongoing costs after the initial design and production.
- The bill does not provide a cost estimate or explain what extra DMV staff or resources might be needed.