GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 1997

SESSION LAW 1998-163
HOUSE BILL 55

AN ACT TO ELIMINATE THE FEE FOR PURPLE HEART REGISTRATION PLATES, TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO REDESIGN THE PURPLE HEART PLATE, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO ISSUE A SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATE TO A RECIPIENT OF THE SILVER STAR, TO A RECIPIENT OF THE BRONZE STAR, AND TO A RECIPIENT OF THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  G.S. 20-79.7(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Fees. – Upon request, the Division shall provide and issue free of charge one registration plate to a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, a 100% disabled veteran, and an ex-prisoner of war. All other special registration plates are subject to the regular motor vehicle registration fee in G.S. 20-87 or G.S. 20-88 plus an additional fee in the following amount:
Special Plate	Additional Fee Amount
Historical Attraction	$30.00
State Attraction	$30.00
Collegiate Insignia	$25.00
Olympic Games	$25.00
Special Olympics	$25.00
March of Dimes	$20.00
Scenic Rivers	$20.00
School Technology	$20.00
Soil and Water Conservation	$20.00
Wildlife Resources	$20.00
Personalized	$20.00
Active Member of the National Guard	None
Purple Heart Recipient	None
All Other Special Plates	$10.00."
Section 2.  The Division of Motor Vehicles shall complete a redesign of the Purple Heart special license plate by January 1, 1999.  The Division shall consult interested groups and other state divisions of motor vehicles about the design to ensure that the plate accurately reflects the appearance of the Purple Heart award.  The Division shall use funds already appropriated to the Division to fund the design.
Section 3.  G.S. 20-79.4(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(3a)	Bronze Star Recipient. – Issuable to a recipient of the Bronze Star.  The plate shall bear the emblem of the Bronze Star and the words "Bronze Star "."
Section 4.  G.S. 20-79.4(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(39a)	Silver Star Recipient. – Issuable to a recipient of the Silver Star.  The plate shall bear the emblem of the Silver Star and the words "Silver Star "."
Section 5.  G.S. 20-79.4(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(12a)	Distinguished Flying Cross. – Issuable to a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.  The plate shall bear the emblem of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the words "Distinguished Flying Cross "."
Section 6.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 22nd day of September, 1998.
s/	Dennis A. Wicker
President of the Senate

s/	Harold J. Brubaker
Speaker of the House of Representatives

s/	James B. Hunt, Jr.
Governor

Approved 10:15 a.m. this 29th day of September, 1998