2013 Maryland Code
TRANSPORTATION
§ 13-619 - Special registration plates for members of certain organizations

§13-619.

(a) The owner of a motor vehicle, or a lessee of the vehicle under a lease not intended as security, or a director, officer, employee, or partner of a business entity that owns the vehicle who is a member or, subject to subsection (c)(3) of this section, the surviving spouse of a member, of an organization considered eligible by the Administration may apply to the Administration for the assignment of a special registration number if the vehicle is included in one of the following classes:

(1) A Class A (passenger) vehicle;

(2) A Class E (truck) vehicle with a manufacturer’s rated capacity of one ton or less; or

(3) A Class M (multipurpose) vehicle.

(b) (1) In this subsection, “motorcyclist organization” means a motorcyclist organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that:

(i) Is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code; and

(ii) Is determined by the Administration to be eligible under this section.

(2) The owner of a Class D (motorcycle) vehicle who is a member of a motorcyclist organization may apply to the Administration for the assignment of a special registration number for the vehicle.

(c) The Administration may issue and continue a special registration number under this section if:

(1) The owner of the motor vehicle submits, with the original application, proof satisfactory to the Administration that the owner of the vehicle is a member of a nonprofit organization and complies with the regulations adopted by the Administration under subsection (d) of this section;

(2) At least 25 owners of vehicles in a class apply to the Administration for the assignment of special registration numbers, and at least 25 special registration numbers are issued initially; and

(3) In the case of an owner who is applying as a surviving spouse, the owner submits proof satisfactory to the Administration that at the time of death of the owner’s spouse, the deceased spouse was the holder of a special registration number issued under this section.

(d) The Administration shall adopt regulations not inconsistent with the Maryland Vehicle Law to govern the issuance of special registration plates to members of nonprofit organizations under this section.

(e) (1) In addition to the annual registration fee otherwise required under this title, an owner of a vehicle assigned a special registration under this section shall pay a fee determined by the Administration each time new registration plates are issued for the vehicle.

(2) The fee:

(i) May not exceed the amount required to enable the Administration to recover its costs under this section;

(ii) Shall be retained by the Administration for the purpose of recovering its cost under this section; and

(iii) May not be credited to the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account for distribution under § 8-403 or § 8-404 of this article.

(f) The additional fee required under subsection (e) of this section is not required for special registration of a vehicle that is exempt under § 13-903 of this title, or a vehicle with a special registration plate recognizing:

(1) The Maryland National Guard; or

(2) A volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad, or volunteer ambulance company in this State.

(g) (1) The special registration plates or plate issued under this section may consist of:

(i) 1. Any combination of letters, numerals, or both; and

2. The name, initials, or abbreviation of the name of the organization; or

(ii) 1. Any combination of letters, numerals, or both;

2. The name, initials, or abbreviation of the name of the organization; and

3. An emblem or logo as authorized by the Administration that depicts the organization.

(2) A special registration number assigned under this section shall be displayed on the registration plates or plate for the vehicle.

(3) An organization may, at its option, receive a special registration under either paragraph (1)(i) or paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, but not under both.

§ 13-619 - 1. Special registration plates for recipients of an individually earned combat-related, armed forces medal

(a) Application requirements. --

(1) The owner of a motor vehicle, or a lessee of the vehicle under a lease not intended as security, or a director, officer, employee, or partner of a business entity that owns the vehicle may apply to the Administration for the assignment of a special registration number and special registration plates under this section for a vehicle included in one of the following classes:

(i) A Class A (passenger) vehicle;

(ii) A Class E (truck) vehicle with a one ton or less manufacturer's rated capacity;

(iii) A Class M (multipurpose) vehicle; or

(iv) A Class D (motorcycle) vehicle.

(2) To be eligible for a special registration described under subsection (c)(2)(i) of this section, an applicant shall provide proof that is satisfactory to the Administration that the applicant is a recipient of an individually earned, combat-related, armed forces medal.

(3) To be eligible for a special registration described under subsection (c)(2)(ii) of this section, an applicant shall provide proof that is satisfactory to the Administration that the applicant is an honorably discharged veteran of a branch of the armed forces of the United States.

(4) To be eligible for a special registration described under subsection (c)(2)(iii) of this section, an applicant shall provide proof that is satisfactory to the Administration that the applicant is a recipient of the U.S. Department of Defense Gold Star for surviving spouses, parents, and next of kin of members of the armed forces who lost their lives in combat.

(b) Fee. --

(1) In addition to the annual registration fee otherwise required under this title, an owner of a vehicle assigned a special registration under this section shall pay a fee as determined by the Administration each time new registration plates are issued for the vehicle. The fee shall be calculated to recover the costs incurred by the Administration in carrying out the provisions of this section.

(2) The additional fee charged under this section shall be retained by the Administration for the purpose of recovering the Administration's costs under this section, and may not be credited to the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account for distribution under § 8-403 or § 8-404 of this article.

(c) Contents of special registration plates. -- Special registration plates issued under this section:

(1) May consist of any combination of letters, numerals, or both; and

(2) Shall include:

(i) For registration plates issued for an applicant described in subsection (a)(2) of this section:

1. An emblem or logo as authorized by the Administration that depicts the applicant's armed forces medal; and

2. Except on plates issued for Class D (motorcycle) vehicles, words describing the medal printed across the bottom of the plates;

(ii) Words or an emblem or logo indicating that the special registration plate holder is an honorably discharged veteran of a branch of the armed forces of the United States; or

(iii) An emblem or logo indicating that the registration plate holder is the recipient of the U.S. Department of Defense Gold Star.

(d) Regulations. --

(1) The Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Defense and appropriate representatives of the various branches of the armed forces, shall adopt regulations specifying those armed forces medals that are of the type described in subsection (a)(2) of this section and which, when awarded to an individual, qualify that individual to apply for special registration under this section.

(2) The Administration may adopt other regulations as necessary to govern the issuance of special registration numbers and special registration plates under this section.

(e) Effect of transfer from joint names to individual name. -- If, whether by act of the parties or by operation of law, the title or ownership interest in a vehicle assigned a special registration under this section is transferred from the joint names of a husband and wife to the individual name of either spouse, the transferee may continue to use the same special registration plates issued under this section on the vehicle after the transfer.

§ 13-619 - 2. Special registration plates honoring Maryland agriculture

(a) In general. -- In consultation with the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. the Administration shall develop and make available for qualifying vehicles a specially designed registration plate honoring Maryland agriculture.

(b) Eligible vehicles. -- The owner of a vehicle, or a lessee of the vehicle under a lease not intended as security, or a director, officer, employee, or partner of a business entity that owns the vehicle considered eligible by the Administration may apply to the Administration for an original or substitute registration plate under this section if the vehicle is included in one of the following classes:

(1) A Class A (passenger) vehicle;

(2) A Class E (truck) vehicle with a manufacturer's rated capacity of one ton or less;

(3) A Class E (farm truck) vehicle;

(4) A Class G (trailer) vehicle; or

(5) A Class M (multipurpose) vehicle.

(c) Fees. --

(1) In addition to the annual registration fee otherwise required under this title, an owner of a vehicle assigned a registration plate under this section shall pay:

(i) When initially issued the registration plate, a onetime fee set by the Administration to recover the Administration's costs under this section; and

(ii) When initially issued the registration plate, and each time the registration plate is renewed, an additional fee set by the Administration to benefit the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc.

(2) The additional fee collected under this section is not required for special registration of a vehicle that is exempt under § 13-903 of this title.

(3) No portion of the fee collected under this section may be credited to the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account for distribution under § 8-403 or § 8-404 of this article.

(d) Issues requiring consultation. -- The Administration shall consult with the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. on:

(1) The design of a registration plate to be issued under this section to honor Maryland agriculture;

(2) The setting of the fee to be charged under subsection (c)(1)(ii) of this section at a level intended to encourage the purchase of the registration plate issued under this section while providing a continuous revenue source to benefit the Foundation; and

(3) A schedule under which the Administration will transfer to the Foundation revenue collected on the Foundation's behalf.

(e) Regulations. -- The Administration shall adopt regulations to govern the issuance of special registration plates under this section.

§ 13-619 - 3. Special Vintage Reproduction Registration Plate. (Effective January 1, 2014)

(a) In general. -- The Administration shall develop and make available for qualifying vehicles a specially designed vintage reproduction registration plate.

(b) Who may apply; classes of vehicles. -- The owner of a vehicle, or a lessee of the vehicle under a lease not intended as security, or a director, an officer, an employee, or a partner of a business entity that owns the vehicle considered eligible by the Administration may apply to the Administration for a registration plate under this section if the vehicle is included in one of the following classes:

(1) A Class A (passenger) vehicle;

(2) A Class E (truck) vehicle with a manufacturer's rated capacity of 1 ton or less;

(3) A Class L (historic) vehicle;

(4) A Class M (multipurpose) vehicle; or

(5) A Class N (street rod) vehicle.

(c) Fee. -- In addition to the annual registration fee otherwise required under this title, an owner of a vehicle assigned a registration plate under this section shall pay when initially issued the registration plate and each time the registration plate is renewed:

(1) A fee set by the Administration to recover the Administration's costs under this section; and

(2) A fee set by the Administration to be credited to the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account for distribution under § 8-403 or § 8-404 of this article.

(d) Availability; description of plate. -- The special registration plate issued under this section shall:

(1) Be available for sale for 1 year from the date of initial issuance; and

(2) Resemble the black lettering on yellow background registration plate issued by the State for display on a motor vehicle in 1910.