New Jersey law authorizes Borinqueneers plates after startup requirements are met

New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Commission issues special plates honoring the Borinqueneers, the 65th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army. The plates are for motor vehicles owned or leased and registered in New Jersey. They display “The Borinqueneers” and an image or other symbol of the regiment. Before the Commission begins work, a Department of Veterans Affairs designee must provide the needed startup money, and the department liaison must submit at least 500 completed applications with payment for the initial order. The designee’s required contribution is limited to $25,000; private donations may also help cover startup costs. The Commission may stop issuing plates if the approved average cost per plate exceeds the $50 application fee for two consecutive fiscal years. The law takes effect immediately, but the program stays inactive until the first day of the 13th month after both startup requirements are met. It expires if they are not met by the end of the 12th month after enactment.

The Commission deposits plate fees left after allowed costs into a fund for U.S. Army veteran programs. The fund supports programs benefiting U.S. Army veterans. The Commission may first use fees to repay reasonable, actual program costs. State or other public funds may not cover the initial costs. The fund’s money is appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs each year.