1     
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE

2     
2020 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Sandra Hollins

5     
Senate Sponsor: Luz Escamilla

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill creates a recognition special group license plate to recognize the work and life
10     of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     creates a recognition special group license plate to recognize the work and life of
14     Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;
15          ▸     repeals the Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights support special group license plate;
16     and
17          ▸     makes technical changes.
18     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
19          None
20     Other Special Clauses:
21          This bill provides a special effective date.
22     Utah Code Sections Affected:
23     AMENDS:
24          9-18-102, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 332
25          41-1a-418, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapters 38, 127, 213, and 392
26          41-1a-422, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapters 38 and 213
27     

28     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

29          Section 1. Section 9-18-102 is amended to read:
30          9-18-102. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Support Restricted Account.
31          (1) There is created in the General Fund a restricted account known as the "Martin
32     Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Support Restricted Account."
33          (2) The account shall be funded by:
34          [(a) contributions deposited into the account in accordance with Section 41-1a-422;]
35          [(b)] (a) private contributions; and
36          [(c)] (b) donations or grants from public or private entities.
37          (3) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department shall distribute funds in the
38     account to one or more charitable organizations that:
39          (a) qualify as being tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
40          (b) is located within the state and is not affiliated with a parent organization;
41          (c) create or support programs that promote awareness and education of constitutional
42     and civil rights;
43          (d) provide education and training in inalienable rights as set forth in the Declaration of
44     Independence;
45          (e) partner with educational institutions to administer underrepresented or underserved
46     scholarships; and
47          (f) partner with government agencies within the state and the private sector to
48     administer and facilitate an underrepresented or underserved internship program.
49          (4) (a) An organization described in Subsection (3) may apply to the department to
50     receive a distribution in accordance with Subsection (3).
51          (b) An organization that receives a distribution from the department in accordance with
52     Subsection (3) shall expend the distribution only to:
53          (i) facilitate, coordinate, and encourage appropriate ceremonies and activities that
54     commemorate the federal Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday;
55          (ii) create or support programs that promote awareness and education of constitutional

56     and civil rights;
57          (iii) provide education and training in inalienable rights as set forth in the Declaration
58     of Independence;
59          (iv) partner with educational institutions to administer underrepresented or underserved
60     scholarships;
61          (v) partner with government agencies within the state and the private sector to
62     administer and facilitate an underrepresented or underserved internship program; and
63          (vi) pay the costs of issuing or reordering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. [Civil Rights
64     Support] recognition special group license plate decals.
65          (c) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
66     department may make rules providing procedures for an organization to apply to the
67     department to receive a distribution under this Subsection (3).
68          (5) In accordance with Section 63J-1-602.1, appropriations from the account are
69     nonlapsing.
70          Section 2. Section 41-1a-418 is amended to read:
71          41-1a-418. Authorized special group license plates.
72          (1) The division shall only issue special group license plates in accordance with this
73     section through Section 41-1a-422 to a person who is specified under this section within the
74     categories listed as follows:
75          (a) disability special group license plates issued in accordance with Section 41-1a-420;
76          (b) honor special group license plates, as in a war hero, which plates are issued for a:
77          (i) survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor;
78          (ii) former prisoner of war;
79          (iii) recipient of a Purple Heart;
80          (iv) disabled veteran;
81          (v) recipient of a gold star award issued by the United States Secretary of Defense; or
82          (vi) recipient of a campaign or combat theater award determined by the Department of

83     Veterans and Military Affairs;
84          (c) unique vehicle type special group license plates, as for historical, collectors value,
85     or other unique vehicle type, which plates are issued for:
86          (i) a special interest vehicle;
87          (ii) a vintage vehicle;
88          (iii) a farm truck; or
89          (iv) (A) until Subsection (1)(c)(iv)(B) or (4) applies, a vehicle powered by clean fuel as
90     defined in Section 59-13-102; or
91          (B) beginning on the effective date of rules made by the Department of Transportation
92     authorized under Subsection 41-6a-702(5)(b) and until Subsection (4) applies, a vehicle
93     powered by clean fuel that meets the standards established by the Department of Transportation
94     in rules authorized under Subsection 41-6a-702(5)(b);
95          (d) recognition special group license plates, which plates are issued for:
96          (i) a current member of the Legislature;
97          (ii) a current member of the United States Congress;
98          (iii) a current member of the National Guard;
99          (iv) a licensed amateur radio operator;
100          (v) a currently employed, volunteer, or retired firefighter until June 30, 2009;
101          (vi) an emergency medical technician;
102          (vii) a current member of a search and rescue team;
103          (viii) a current honorary consulate designated by the United States Department of
104     State;
105          (ix) an individual supporting commemoration and recognition of women's suffrage;
106          (x) an individual supporting a fraternal, initiatic order for those sharing moral and
107     metaphysical ideals, and designed to teach ethical and philosophical matters of brotherly love,
108     relief, and truth; [or]
109          (xi) an individual supporting the Utah Wing of the Civil Air Patrol; or

110          (xii) an individual supporting the recognition and continuation of the work and life of
111     Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; or
112          (e) support special group license plates, as for a contributor to an institution or cause,
113     which plates are issued for a contributor to:
114          (i) an institution's scholastic scholarship fund;
115          (ii) the Division of Wildlife Resources;
116          (iii) the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs;
117          (iv) the Division of Parks and Recreation;
118          (v) the Department of Agriculture and Food;
119          (vi) the Guardian Ad Litem Services Account and the Children's Museum of Utah;
120          (vii) the Boy Scouts of America;
121          (viii) spay and neuter programs through No More Homeless Pets in Utah;
122          (ix) the Boys and Girls Clubs of America;
123          (x) Utah public education;
124          (xi) programs that provide support to organizations that create affordable housing for
125     those in severe need through the Division of Real Estate;
126          (xii) the Department of Public Safety;
127          (xiii) programs that support Zion National Park;
128          (xiv) beginning on July 1, 2009, programs that provide support to firefighter
129     organizations;
130          (xv) programs that promote bicycle operation and safety awareness;
131          (xvi) programs that conduct or support cancer research;
132          (xvii) programs that create or support autism awareness;
133          (xviii) programs that create or support humanitarian service and educational and
134     cultural exchanges;
135          (xix) until September 30, 2017, programs that conduct or support prostate cancer
136     awareness, screening, detection, or prevention;

137          (xx) programs that support and promote adoptions;
138          [(xxi) programs that create or support civil rights education and awareness;]
139          [(xxii)] (xxi) programs that support issues affecting women and children through an
140     organization affiliated with a national professional men's basketball organization;
141          [(xxiii)] (xxii) programs that strengthen youth soccer, build communities, and promote
142     environmental sustainability through an organization affiliated with a professional men's soccer
143     organization;
144          [(xxiv)] (xxiii) programs that support children with heart disease;
145          [(xxv)] (xxiv) programs that support the operation and maintenance of the Utah Law
146     Enforcement Memorial;
147          [(xxvi)] (xxv) programs that provide assistance to children with cancer;
148          [(xxvii)] (xxvi) programs that promote leadership and career development through
149     agricultural education;
150          [(xxviii)] (xxvii) the Utah State Historical Society;
151          [(xxix)] (xxviii) programs to transport veterans to visit memorials honoring the service
152     and sacrifices of veterans; or
153          [(xxx)] (xxix) programs that promote motorcycle safety awareness.
154          (2) (a) The division may not issue a new type of special group license plate or decal
155     unless the division receives:
156          (i) (A) a private donation for the start-up fee established under Section 63J-1-504 for
157     the production and administrative costs of providing the new special group license plates or
158     decals; or
159          (B) a legislative appropriation for the start-up fee provided under Subsection
160     (2)(a)(i)(A); and
161          (ii) beginning on January 1, 2012, and for the issuance of a support special group
162     license plate authorized in Section 41-1a-422, at least 500 completed applications for the new
163     type of support special group license plate or decal to be issued with all fees required under this

164     part for the support special group license plate or decal issuance paid by each applicant.
165          (b) (i) Beginning on January 1, 2012, each participating organization shall collect and
166     hold applications for support special group license plates or decals authorized in Section
167     41-1a-422 on or after January 1, 2012, until it has received at least 500 applications.
168          (ii) Once a participating organization has received at least 500 applications, it shall
169     submit the applications, along with the necessary fees, to the division for the division to begin
170     working on the design and issuance of the new type of support special group license plate or
171     decal to be issued.
172          (iii) Beginning on January 1, 2012, the division may not work on the issuance or design
173     of a new support special group license plate or decal authorized in Section 41-1a-422 until the
174     applications and fees required under this Subsection (2) have been received by the division.
175          (iv) The division shall begin issuance of a new support special group license plate or
176     decal authorized in Section 41-1a-422 on or after January 1, 2012, no later than six months
177     after receiving the applications and fees required under this Subsection (2).
178          (c) (i) Beginning on July 1, 2009, the division may not renew a motor vehicle
179     registration of a motor vehicle that has been issued a firefighter recognition special group
180     license plate unless the applicant is a contributor as defined in Subsection
181     41-1a-422(1)(a)(ii)(D) to the Firefighter Support Restricted Account.
182          (ii) A registered owner of a vehicle that has been issued a firefighter recognition
183     special group license plate prior to July 1, 2009, upon renewal of the owner's motor vehicle
184     registration shall:
185          (A) be a contributor to the Firefighter Support Restricted Account as required under
186     Subsection (2)(c)(i); or
187          (B) replace the firefighter recognition special group license plate with a new license
188     plate.
189          (3) Beginning on July 1, 2011, if a support special group license plate or decal type
190     authorized in Section 41-1a-422 and issued on or after January 1, 2012, has fewer than 500

191     license plates issued each year for a three consecutive year time period that begins on July 1,
192     the division may not issue that type of support special group license plate or decal to a new
193     applicant beginning on January 1 of the following calendar year after the three consecutive year
194     time period for which that type of support special group license plate or decal has fewer than
195     500 license plates issued each year.
196          (4) Beginning on July 1, 2011, the division may not issue to an applicant a unique
197     vehicle type license plate for a vehicle powered by clean fuel under Subsection (1)(c)(iv).
198          (5) (a) Beginning on October 1, 2017, the division may not issue a new prostate cancer
199     support special group license plate.
200          (b) A registered owner of a vehicle that has been issued a prostate cancer support
201     special group license plate before October 1, 2017, may renew the owner's motor vehicle
202     registration, with the contribution allocated as described in Section 41-1a-422.
203          Section 3. Section 41-1a-422 is amended to read:
204          41-1a-422. Support special group license plates -- Contributor -- Voluntary
205     contribution collection procedures.
206          (1) As used in this section:
207          (a) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(a)(ii), "contributor" means a person who
208     has donated or in whose name at least $25 has been donated to:
209          (A) a scholastic scholarship fund of a single named institution;
210          (B) the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs for veterans programs;
211          (C) the Division of Wildlife Resources for the Wildlife Resources Account created in
212     Section 23-14-13, for conservation of wildlife and the enhancement, preservation, protection,
213     access, and management of wildlife habitat;
214          (D) the Department of Agriculture and Food for the benefit of conservation districts;
215          (E) the Division of Parks and Recreation for the benefit of snowmobile programs;
216          (F) the Guardian Ad Litem Services Account and the Children's Museum of Utah, with
217     the donation evenly divided between the two;

218          (G) the Boy Scouts of America for the benefit of a Utah Boy Scouts of America
219     council as specified by the contributor;
220          (H) No More Homeless Pets in Utah for distribution to organizations or individuals
221     that provide spay and neuter programs that subsidize the sterilization of domestic animals;
222          (I) the Utah Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, Inc. to provide and enhance youth
223     development programs;
224          (J) the Utah Association of Public School Foundations to support public education;
225          (K) the Utah Housing Opportunity Restricted Account created in Section 61-2-204 to
226     assist people who have severe housing needs;
227          (L) the Public Safety Honoring Heroes Restricted Account created in Section 53-1-118
228     to support the families of fallen Utah Highway Patrol troopers and other Department of Public
229     Safety employees;
230          (M) the Division of Parks and Recreation for distribution to organizations that provide
231     support for Zion National Park;
232          (N) the Firefighter Support Restricted Account created in Section 53-7-109 to support
233     firefighter organizations;
234          (O) the Share the Road Bicycle Support Restricted Account created in Section
235     72-2-127 to support bicycle operation and safety awareness programs;
236          (P) the Cancer Research Restricted Account created in Section 26-21a-302 to support
237     cancer research programs;
238          (Q) Autism Awareness Restricted Account created in Section 53F-9-401 to support
239     autism awareness programs;
240          (R) Humanitarian Service and Educational and Cultural Exchange Restricted Account
241     created in Section 9-17-102 to support humanitarian service and educational and cultural
242     programs;
243          (S) Prostate Cancer Support Restricted Account created in Section 26-21a-303 for
244     programs that conduct or support prostate cancer awareness, screening, detection, or prevention

245     until September 30, 2017, and beginning on October 1, 2017, upon renewal of a prostate cancer
246     support special group license plate, to the Cancer Research Restricted Account created in
247     Section 26-21a-302 to support cancer research programs;
248          (T) the Choose Life Adoption Support Restricted Account created in Section
249     62A-4a-608 to support programs that promote adoption;
250          [(U) the Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Support Restricted Account created in
251     Section 9-18-102;]
252          [(V)] (U) the National Professional Men's Basketball Team Support of Women and
253     Children Issues Restricted Account created in Section 62A-1-202;
254          [(W)] (V) the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial Support Restricted Account created in
255     Section 53-1-120;
256          [(X)] (W) the Children with Cancer Support Restricted Account created in Section
257     26-21a-304 for programs that provide assistance to children with cancer;
258          [(Y)] (X) the National Professional Men's Soccer Team Support of Building
259     Communities Restricted Account created in Section 9-19-102;
260          [(Z)] (Y) the Children with Heart Disease Support Restricted Account created in
261     Section 26-58-102;
262          [(AA)] (Z) the Utah Intracurricular Student Organization Support for Agricultural
263     Education and Leadership Restricted Account created in Section 4-42-102;
264          [(BB)] (AA) the Division of Wildlife Resources for the Support for State-Owned
265     Shooting Ranges Restricted Account created in Section 23-14-13.5, for the creation of new,
266     and operation and maintenance of existing, state-owned firearm shooting ranges;
267          [(CC)] (BB) the Utah State Historical Society to further the mission and purpose of the
268     Utah State Historical Society;
269          [(DD)] (CC) the Motorcycle Safety Awareness Support Restricted Account created in
270     Section 72-2-130; or
271          [(EE)] (DD) the Transportation of Veterans to Memorials Support Restricted Account

272     created in Section 71-14-102.
273          (ii) (A) For a veterans special group license plate described in Subsection
274     41-1a-421(1)(a)(v) or 41-1a-422(4), "contributor" means a person who has donated or in whose
275     name at least a $25 donation at the time of application and $10 annual donation thereafter has
276     been made.
277          (B) For a Utah Housing Opportunity special group license plate, "contributor" means a
278     person who:
279          (I) has donated or in whose name at least $30 has been donated at the time of
280     application and annually after the time of application; and
281          (II) is a member of a trade organization for real estate licensees that has more than
282     15,000 Utah members.
283          (C) For an Honoring Heroes special group license plate, "contributor" means a person
284     who has donated or in whose name at least $35 has been donated at the time of application and
285     annually thereafter.
286          (D) For a firefighter support special group license plate, "contributor" means a person
287     who:
288          (I) has donated or in whose name at least $15 has been donated at the time of
289     application and annually after the time of application; and
290          (II) is a currently employed, volunteer, or retired firefighter.
291          (E) For a cancer research special group license plate, "contributor" means a person who
292     has donated or in whose name at least $35 has been donated at the time of application and
293     annually after the time of application.
294          [(F) For a Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Support special group license plate,
295     "contributor" means a person who has donated or in whose name at least $35 has been donated
296     at the time of application and annually thereafter.]
297          [(G)] (F) For a Utah Law Enforcement Memorial Support special group license plate,
298     "contributor" means a person who has donated or in whose name at least $35 has been donated

299     at the time of application and annually thereafter.
300          (b) "Institution" means a state institution of higher education as defined under Section
301     53B-3-102 or a private institution of higher education in the state accredited by a regional or
302     national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
303          (2) (a) An applicant for original or renewal collegiate special group license plates under
304     Subsection (1)(a)(i) must be a contributor to the institution named in the application and
305     present the original contribution verification form under Subsection (2)(b) or make a
306     contribution to the division at the time of application under Subsection (3).
307          (b) An institution with a support special group license plate shall issue to a contributor
308     a verification form designed by the commission containing:
309          (i) the name of the contributor;
310          (ii) the institution to which a donation was made;
311          (iii) the date of the donation; and
312          (iv) an attestation that the donation was for a scholastic scholarship.
313          (c) The state auditor may audit each institution to verify that the money collected by the
314     institutions from contributors is used for scholastic scholarships.
315          (d) After an applicant has been issued collegiate license plates or renewal decals, the
316     commission shall charge the institution whose plate was issued, a fee determined in accordance
317     with Section 63J-1-504 for management and administrative expenses incurred in issuing and
318     renewing the collegiate license plates.
319          (e) If the contribution is made at the time of application, the contribution shall be
320     collected, treated, and deposited as provided under Subsection (3).
321          (3) (a) An applicant for original or renewal support special group license plates under
322     this section must be a contributor to the sponsoring organization associated with the license
323     plate.
324          (b) This contribution shall be:
325          (i) unless collected by the named institution under Subsection (2), collected by the

326     division;
327          (ii) considered a voluntary contribution for the funding of the activities specified under
328     this section and not a motor vehicle registration fee;
329          (iii) deposited into the appropriate account less actual administrative costs associated
330     with issuing the license plates; and
331          (iv) for a firefighter special group license plate, deposited into the appropriate account
332     less:
333          (A) the costs of reordering firefighter special group license plate decals; and
334          (B) the costs of replacing recognition special group license plates with new license
335     plates under Subsection 41-1a-1211(13).
336          (c) The donation described in Subsection (1)(a) must be made in the 12 months prior to
337     registration or renewal of registration.
338          (d) The donation described in Subsection (1)(a) shall be a one-time donation made to
339     the division when issuing original:
340          (i) snowmobile license plates; or
341          (ii) conservation license plates.
342          (4) Veterans license plates shall display one of the symbols representing the Army,
343     Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or American Legion.
344          Section 4. Effective date.
345          This bill takes effect on October 15, 2020.