§ 41-1a-1604 — New sponsored special group license plates -- Eligibility criteria.

(1) If a sponsoring organization satisfies the requirements of this part, the division shall approve an application for a new type of sponsored special group license plate and issue the sponsored special group license plate in accordance with this part.
(2) Subject to the other provisions of this part, a sponsoring organization requesting a new type of sponsored special group license plate shall submit to the division, in a form and manner the division prescribes:
(2)(a) a complete application requesting the new type of sponsored special group license plate that includes:
(2)(a)(i) information about the sponsoring organization the division needs to process the request;
(2)(a)(ii) contact information for an individual representing the sponsoring organization;
(2)(a)(iii) if the sponsoring organization establishes a required contribution amount under Subsection 41-1a-1603(4)(b) that is greater than the minimum required contribution amount established under Subsection 41-1a-1603(4)(a)(iii), the amount of the required contribution;
(2)(a)(iv) account information to allow the division to disburse funds from required contributions the division collects through the sponsored special group license plate program to the sponsoring organization;
(2)(a)(v) a link to a functional website described in Subsection (7); and
(2)(a)(vi) if the sponsoring organization requires an applicant to submit a verification form described in Subsection (8)(b)(i), a statement indicating that a verification form is required;
(2)(b) at least 500 complete preorder applications for the new type of sponsored special group license plate, including verification that each preorder application included the required contribution;
(2)(c) (2)(c)(i) the fee for the cost of initiating the new type of sponsored special group license plate established under Subsection 41-1a-1603(4)(a)(ii), which shall be deposited into the License Plate Restricted Account created in Section 41-1a-122; and
(2)(c)(ii) an additional fee for the cost of implementation, design, and system programming for the new type of sponsored special group license plate, which shall be deposited into the License Plate Restricted Account created in Section 41-1a-122; and
(2)(d) if the new type of sponsored special group license plate is a private nonprofit special group license plate:
(2)(d)(i) a copy of the Internal Revenue Service letter approving the sponsoring organization's Section 501(c)(3) status;
(2)(d)(ii) an affidavit signed under penalty of perjury declaring that the sponsoring organization has a charitable purpose; and
(2)(d)(iii) an indication of the private nonprofit organization's charitable purpose.
(3) If an application under Subsection (2) is for a special group license plate that was discontinued in accordance with this part, each registered vehicle with the discontinued special group license plate is considered a complete preorder application for the purposes of Subsection (2)(b).
(4) The division:
(4)(a) may share data collected under Subsection (2)(d)(iii) with the Legislature and the state auditor;
(4)(b) may not use the information in Subsection (2)(d)(iii) in deciding whether to approve the sponsoring organization's application; and
(4)(c) is not required to evaluate the accuracy or veracity of information the private nonprofit organization provides under Subsection (2)(d).
(5) Except as otherwise provided in this part, the division may not begin design work on or issue a new type of sponsored special group license plate unless the sponsoring organization satisfies the requirements of Subsection (2).
(6) A sponsoring organization that is a state agency may request a state agency recognition special group license plate without meeting the minimum preorder requirements of Subsection (2)(b) if:
(6)(a) the governor certifies that there is a legitimate government operations purpose for issuing the state agency recognition special group license plate; and
(6)(b) through appropriation or any other source, funds are available to cover the start-up and administrative costs of the state agency recognition special group license plate.
(7) A sponsoring organization of a sponsored special group license plate issued in accordance with this part shall maintain a functional website that:
(7)(a) explains how the sponsoring organization will use the required contributions in accordance with this part;
(7)(b) if applicable, makes available the sponsoring organization's most recent Internal Revenue Service Form 990; and
(7)(c) provides instructions for how to obtain a verification form if the sponsoring organization elects to require verification in accordance with Subsection (8).
(8) (8)(a) A sponsoring organization may establish eligibility requirements for the sponsoring organization's sponsored special group license plate.
(8)(b) If a sponsoring organization establishes eligibility requirements under this subsection, the sponsoring organization shall:
(8)(b)(i) inform the division that a verification form is required as part of an application for the sponsoring organization's sponsored special group license plate;
(8)(b)(ii) establish a process for providing a verification form to an applicant; and
(8)(b)(iii) provide a verification form prescribed by the division to an applicant who satisfies the sponsoring organization's eligibility requirements.
(9) (9)(a) A sponsored special group license plate design is subject to approval by the license plate design review board as described in Subsection 41-1a-402(3).
(9)(b) Subject to approval by the license plate design review board as described in Subsection 41-1a-402(3), the division shall begin issuing the new type of sponsored special group license plate no later than six months after the day on which the division receives the items described in Subsection (2).
(10) The division may:
(10)(a) consider a request for a sponsored special group license plate for two or more military branches as a request for a single type of sponsored special group license plate for the purposes of meeting the eligibility criteria described in this section; and
(10)(b) charge an appropriate fee for ordering multiple symbol decals for each military branch.
(11) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the commission may make rules to establish fees and the process for administering applications for new sponsored special group license plates described in Subsection (2)(c).

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 251, 2024 General Session