GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001

SESSION LAW 2001-498
HOUSE BILL 110

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A TRAFFIC CITATION PROCEDURE INVOLVING INDIVIDUALS CLAIMING DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO ISSUE THE FOLLOWING NEW SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATES: AUDUBON NORTH CAROLINA; FIRST IN FORESTRY; MILITARY VETERAN; WORLD WAR II VETERAN, KOREAN CONFLICT VETERAN, AND OTHER MILITARY WARTIME VETERANS FOR WHICH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HAS AUTHORIZED A CAMPAIGN BADGE OR MEDAL; SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION; U.S. NAVY SPECIALTY; THE V FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH; HARLEY OWNERS' GROUP; ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION; AND SAVE THE SEA TURTLES. 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a) G.S. 20‑79.4(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Types. – The Division shall issue the following types of special registration plates:
. . . 
(3b)	Audubon North Carolina. – Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear the National Audubon Society, Inc., logo and a representation of a bird native to North Carolina.
…
(15a)	First in Forestry. – Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle. The plate shall bear the words 'First in Forestry'. The Division may not issue the plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for the plate.
…
(27a)	Military Veteran. – Issuable to an individual who served honorably in the armed services of the United States. The plate shall bear the words "U.S. Military Veteran" and the name and insignia of the branch of service in which the individual served. The Division may not issue the plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for the plate.
(27b)	Military Wartime Veteran. –  Issuable to either a member or veteran of the armed services of the United States who served during a period of war. If the person is a veteran of the armed services, then the veteran must be separated from the armed services under honorable conditions. The plate shall bear a word or phrase identifying the period of war and a replica of the campaign badge or medal awarded for that war. The Division may not issue a plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for that plate. A "period of war" is any of the following:
a.	World War I, meaning the period beginning April 16, 1917, and ending November 11, 1918.
b.	World War II, meaning the period beginning December 7, 1941, and ending December 31, 1946.
c.	The Korean Conflict, meaning the period beginning June 27, 1950, and ending January 31, 1955.
d.	The Vietnam Era, meaning the period beginning August 5, 1964, and ending May 7, 1975.
e.	Desert Storm, meaning the period beginning August 2, 1990, and ending April 11, 1991.
f.	Any other campaign, expedition, or engagement for which the United States Department of Defense authorizes a campaign badge or medal.
…
(36c)	Save the Sea Turtles. – Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12.  The plate may bear the phrase "Save the Sea Turtles" and a representation related to sea turtles.
…
(40a)	Special Forces Association. – Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear a representation of the Special Forces Association shoulder patch with tabs and shall bear the words 'Special Forces Association.'
…
(46a)	U.S. Navy Specialty. – Issuable to a veteran of the United States Navy Submariner Service. The plate shall bear the phrase "Silent Service Veteran" and shall bear a representation of the Submarine Service Qualification pin. The Division may not issue the plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for the plate.
…
(48b)	The V Foundation for Cancer Research. – Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear a phrase and insignia representing The V Foundation for Cancer Research."
SECTION 1.(b)	G.S. 20‑79.4(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Types. – The Division shall issue the following types of special registration plates:
…
(16a)	Harley Owners' Group. – Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall be designed in consultation with and approved by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc., and shall bear the words and trademark of the 'Harley Owners' Group'. The Division shall not develop this plate unless the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc., licenses, without charge, the State to use the words and trademark of the Harley Owners' Group on the plate.
…
(36b)	Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. – Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20-81.12. The plate shall bear the phrase 'Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation' and a replica of the 'Walking Bull' logo of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Inc. The Division shall not develop this plate unless the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Inc. licenses, without charge, the State to use the 'Walking Bull' logo on the plate."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 20‑79.4(b)(11a), as enacted by S.L. 2001‑40, and G.S. 20‑79.4(b)(50) are repealed.
SECTION 3.(a)  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, including additional Congressional Medal of Honor, 100% Disabled Veteran, and Ex‑Prisoner of War 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
Goodness Grows	$25.00
Kids First	$25.00
Olympic Games	$25.00
Special Olympics	$25.00
The V Foundation for Cancer Research Division 	$25.00
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina	$25.00
Animal Lovers	$20.00
Audubon North Carolina	$20.00
Ducks Unlimited	$20.00
First in Forestry	$20.00
Litter Prevention	$20.00
March of Dimes	$20.00
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity	$20.00
Save the Sea Turtles	$20.00
Scenic Rivers	$20.00
School Technology	$20.00
Soil and Water Conservation	$20.00
Special Forces Association	$20.00
Support Public Schools	$20.00
Wildlife Resources	$20.00
Personalized	$20.00
Active Member of the National Guard	None
100% Disabled Veteran	None
Ex‑Prisoner of War	None
Legion of Valor	None
Purple Heart Recipient	None
Silver Star Recipient	None
All Other Special Plates	$10.00."
SECTION 3.(b)  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, including additional Congressional Medal of Honor, 100% Disabled Veteran, and Ex‑Prisoner of War 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
Goodness Grows	$25.00
Kids First	$25.00
Olympic Games	$25.00
Special Olympics	$25.00
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina	$25.00
Animal Lovers	$20.00
Ducks Unlimited	$20.00
Harley Owners' Group	$20.00
Litter Prevention	$20.00
March of Dimes	$20.00
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity	$20.00
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation	$25.00
Scenic Rivers	$20.00
School Technology	$20.00
Soil and Water Conservation	$20.00
Support Public Schools	$20.00
Wildlife Resources	$20.00
Personalized	$20.00
Active Member of the National Guard	None
100% Disabled Veteran	None
Ex‑Prisoner of War	None
Legion of Valor	None
Purple Heart Recipient	None
Silver Star Recipient	None
All Other Special Plates	$10.00."
SECTION 4.(a)  G.S. 20‑79.7(b), as amended by S.L. 2001-414, reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Distribution of Fees. – The Special Registration Plate Account and the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account are established within the Highway Fund. The Division must credit the additional fee imposed for the special registration plates listed in subsection (a) among the Special Registration Plate Account (SRPA), the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account (CCAPA), and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund (NHTF), which is established under G.S. 113‑77.7, as follows: 
Special Plate	SRPA	CCAPA	NHTF

Animal Lovers	$10	$10	0
Audubon North Carolina	$10	$10	0
Ducks Unlimited	$10	$10	0
First in Forestry	$10	0	$10
Goodness Grows	$10	$15	0
Historical Attraction	$10	$20	0
In‑State Collegiate Insignia	$10	$15	0
Kids First	$10	$15	0
Litter Prevention	$10	$10	0
March of Dimes	$10	$10	0
Olympic Games	$10	$15	0
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity	$10	$10	0
Out‑of‑state Collegiate Insignia	$10	0	$15
Personalized	$10	0	$10
Save the Sea Turtles	$10	$10	0
Scenic Rivers	$10	$10	0
School Technology	$10	$10	0
Soil and Water Conservation	$10	$10	0
Special Forces Association	$10	$10	0
Special Olympics	$10	$10	0
State Attraction	$10	$20	0
Support Public Schools	$10	$10	0
The V Foundation for Cancer Research 	$10	$15	0
University Health Systems of
Eastern Carolina	$10	$15	0
Wildlife Resources	$10	$10	0
All other Special Plates	$10	0	0."
SECTION 4.(b)  G.S. 20‑79.7(b), as amended by S.L. 2001-414, reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Distribution of Fees. – The Special Registration Plate Account and the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account are established within the Highway Fund. The Division must credit the additional fee imposed for the special registration plates listed in subsection (a) among the Special Registration Plate Account (SRPA), the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account (CCAPA), and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund (NHTF), which is established under G.S. 113‑77.7, as follows: 
Special Plate	SRPA	CCAPA	NHTF

Animal Lovers	$10	$10	0
Ducks Unlimited	$10	$10	0
Goodness Grows	$10	$10	0
Harley Owners' Group	$10	$10	0
Historical Attraction	$10	$20	0
In‑State Collegiate Insignia	$10	$15	0
Kids First	$10	$15	0
Litter Prevention	$10	$10	0
March of Dimes	$10	$10	0
Olympic Games	$10	$15	0
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity	$10	$10	0
Out‑of‑state Collegiate Insignia	$10	0	$15
Personalized	$10	0	$10
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation	$10	$15	0
Scenic Rivers	$10	$10	0
School Technology	$10	$10	0
Soil and Water Conservation	$10	$10	0
Special Olympics	$10	$10	0
State Attraction	$10	$20	0
Support Public Schools	$10	$10	0
University Health Systems of
Eastern Carolina	$10	$15	0
Wildlife Resources	$10	$10	0
All other Special Plates	$10	0	0."
SECTION 6.(a)  G.S. 20‑81.12 is amended by adding the following new subsections to read:
"(b17)	Audubon North Carolina Plates. – The Division must receive 300 or more applications for an Audubon North Carolina plate before the plate may be developed. The Division must transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of Audubon North Carolina plates to the National Audubon Society, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, for the account of the NC State Office to be used for bird and other wildlife conservation and educational activities in the State of North Carolina.
(b18)	Special Forces Association. – The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a Special Forces Association plate before the plate may be developed. The Division shall transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of Special Forces Association plates to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
(b19)	The V Foundation for Cancer Research. – The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a V Foundation plate before the plate may be developed. The Division shall transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of V Foundation plates to The V Foundation for Cancer Research to fund cancer research grants.
(b20)	Save the Sea Turtles. – The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a Save the Sea Turtles plate before the plate may be developed. The Division must transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of Save the Sea Turtles plates to The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center."
SECTION 6.(b)  G.S. 20‑81.12 is amended by adding the following new subsections to read:
"(b21)	Harley Owners' Group. – The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a Harley Owners' Group plate before the plate may be developed. The Division shall transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of Harley Owners' Group plates to the State Board of Community Colleges to support the motorcycle safety instruction program established pursuant to G.S. 115D-72.
(b22)	Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. – The Division must receive 300 or more applications for a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation plate before the plate may be developed. The Division must transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Account derived from the sale of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation plates to Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Inc."
SECTION 7.  G.S. 20-37.20 reads as rewritten:
"§ 20-37.20.  Notification of traffic convictions.
(a)	Out-of-state Resident. – Within 10 days after receiving a report of the conviction of any nonresident holder of a commercial driver license for any violation of State law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than parking violations, committed in a commercial vehicle, the Division shall notify the driver licensing authority in the licensing state of the conviction.
(b)	Foreign Diplomat. – The Division must notify the United States Department of State within 15 days after it receives one of or more of the following reports for a holder of a driver's license issued by the United States Department of State: 
(1)	A report of a conviction for a violation of State law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than parking violations.
(2)	A report of a civil revocation order."
SECTION 8.  Section 7 of this act becomes effective at the earliest practical date, but no later than January 1, 2003.  The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.  Sections 1(b), 3(b), 4(b), and 6(b) expire on June 30, 2006.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 3rd day of December, 2001.

	s/	 Marc Basnight
	 President Pro Tempore of the Senate

	s/	 James B. Black
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Michael F. Easley
	 Governor

Approved 7:24 p.m. this 19th day of December, 2001