(TRENTON) – An Assembly panel approved on Thursday legislation sponsored by Assembly members Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) and John Burzichelli (D-Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem) to create a “We Support the Arts” license plate and designate a fund for the proceeds to support New Jersey art initiatives.
“This is the perfect way to celebrate and raise funds for the New Jersey arts,” Vainieri Huttle said. “The proceeds will help encourage and add to the sustainability of New Jersey’s diverse arts landscape.”
“Residents will be able to make a personal contribution to the advancement and celebration of New Jersey arts,” Burzichelli said. “This is a great way for us to show our pride in the New Jersey arts and cultural community.”
The legislation (A-2677) would authorize the creation of a New Jersey license plate option which proceeds from its sale would go to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. The design of the license plate would be chosen by the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) after conducting a statewide contest. The design would include the slogan “We Support the Arts.”
As with current specialty license plates, there will be an initial $50 fee in addition to the registration fees required by law, with a $10 annual fee in addition to the renewal fees required by law. The monies raised, after reimbursement to the MVC, would be deposited into the “Support the Arts Fund,” also established by this bill.
The measure was released by the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee.