28-2407. Amateur radio operator special plates; fund

A. The department shall issue amateur radio operator special plates to a person who provides satisfactory proof that the person owns and holds an unrevoked and unexpired amateur radio station license issued by the federal communications commission.

B. The amateur radio operator special plates shall be inscribed with the official identifying amateur radio call letters of the applicant as assigned by the federal communications commission.

C. Of the twenty-five dollar fee required by section 28-2402 for the original special plates and for renewal of special plates, eight dollars is a special plate administration fee and seventeen dollars is an annual donation.

D. The department shall deposit, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, all special plate administration fees in the state highway fund established by section 28-6991 and all donations collected pursuant to this section in the Arizona amateur radio education and community involvement fund established by subsection E of this section.

E. The Arizona amateur radio education and community involvement fund is established consisting of monies received pursuant to this section. The director shall administer the fund. Not more than ten percent of monies deposited in the fund annually shall be used for the cost of administering the fund. Monies in the fund are continuously appropriated.

F. The director shall annually allocate monies from the fund, excluding administrative fees, to an organization that is a nonprofit corporation in this state that is qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the United States internal revenue code for federal income tax purposes that meets all of the following:

1. Is comprised of amateur radio clubs throughout this state.

2. Has objectives that include:

(a) Combining opinions, ideas and strengths of various clubs.

(b) Assisting affiliated clubs in promoting the welfare of the amateur radio fraternity.

(c) Encouraging activities that will benefit amateur radio.

3. Awards scholarships to licensed amateurs who are enrolled in an institute of higher learning.

4. Awards grants to affiliated clubs for purposes that benefit the amateur radio community and enhance the communications network in this state.

G. On notice from the director, the state treasurer shall invest and divest monies in the fund as provided in section 35-313, and monies earned from investment shall be credited to the fund. Monies in the fund are exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 relating to lapsing of appropriations.