Special distinguishing registration plates issued by the Department of Transportation and making appropriations. (FE)

An application for designation by DOT as an authorized special group must include a deposit of $15,500. If the application is denied, this deposit is returned to the group.

If the application is approved, the amount of the deposit returned to the group is the lesser of $12,000 or $15 times the number of special registration plates (special plates) issued for the group in the first year. An application must also include a certification by the group that any approval required for use of a logo, trademark, or other commercial symbol (trademark approval) related to the group has been obtained and that the group is responsible for any related licensing fees. If DOT denies an application for designation as an authorized special group, DOT must promptly give notice to the group stating the reason for the denial, but DOT's decision is final and not subject to judicial review. If the application is approved, members of the authorized special group may obtain special plates for certain vehicles, including automobiles and motor homes, that are owned or leased by special group members. In addition to the regular registration fee, a fee of $15 is charged for the issuance or reissuance of these special plates. DOT may not assist a group in the use of special plates in any fund-raising effort by the group.

Before October 2, 1998, authorized special groups whose members may obtain special plates were specifically enumerated by statute. With certain exceptions, current law provides that statutory enumeration of authorized special groups is limited to those special groups enumerated before October 2, 1998. Current law specifies that, after October 1, 1998, the process described above by which DOT designates groups as authorized special groups is the exclusive method for groups to obtain special plates.

This bill modifies the process and requirements for DOT to designate authorized special groups and issue special plates to group members. DOT must post notice on DOT's Internet site of a group's application and the notice must identify the group applying for designation as an authorized special group and describe the process by which a person may object to this designation. Within 30 days after this notice, any person may object in writing to this designation. If a timely objection is made, DOT must refer the application to the senate and assembly standing committees for transportation matters for passive review. DOT may then designate the group as an authorized special group only if each standing committee, impliedly or expressly, approves the application under the passive review process. If no timely objection is made, DOT must designate the group as an authorized special group.

The bill eliminates the current law criteria under which DOT designates a group as an authorized special group and requires DOT to make such a designation if no timely objection is made, but allows an objection to be based on these current law criteria.

Under the bill, a group's application for designation as an authorized special group must include the signatures of at least 500 Wisconsin residents who affirm their intent to obtain special plates associated with the group when these special plates become available. The bill also eliminates the requirement under current law that an applicant for designation by DOT as an authorized special group must deposit $15,500 but is entitled to a partial refund based on the number of special plates issued. Instead, under the bill, an applicant must make payment to DOT of $15,500 for DOT's initial costs of production of the special plates. This payment is in addition to any applicable registration fee or voluntary payment. DOT must return this payment to the applicant if the application is denied. DOT must specify the design for the special plates after consultation with the designated special group.

Under this bill, a designated special group may obtain special plates for which DOT collects a $25 annual voluntary payment from group members or supporters and directs this money to the designated special group or a designated state agency as a gift. This money may not be used for any political purpose. DOT must cease collecting these voluntary payments if DOT has knowledge that the recipient of the money has dissolved, become insolvent, or filed a petition for bankruptcy or that the money has been used for any political purpose.

Under the bill, if fewer than 500 special plates associated with the group have been issued and are valid for currently registered vehicles after the third year following the date the special plates were first issued, or in any year thereafter, DOT must give notice to the group that it will rescind its designation and cease issuing the special plates unless, within one year after this notice, this 500-plate threshold is met. If one year elapses after this notice and the 500-plate threshold is still not met, DOT must rescind the group's designation and, with an exception, cease accepting new applications for issuance of the special plates, but may continue to renew the special plates that have already been issued.