4:19A-5. Animal Population Control Fund

6. a. The commissioner may solicit and accept funds from any public or private source to help carry out the provisions of P.L.1983, c.172 (C.4:19A-1 et al.) .

b. All fees collected pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1983, c.172 (C.4:19-15.3b) and sections 3 and 4 of P.L.1983, c.172 (C.43:19A-2 and C.4:19A-3), all moneys from the application and renewal fees collected for animal welfare license plates issued pursuant to P.L.1993, c.184 (C.39:3-27.55 et seq.), and all moneys received pursuant to subsection a. of this section, shall be placed in a special fund to be known as the "Animal Population Control Fund," which shall be separate from the General State Fund. All moneys in the "Animal Population Control Fund" shall be used by the commissioner exclusively for the implementation and promotion of the program and for the costs associated with the administration of P.L.1983, c.172 (C.4:19A-1 et al.), except as provided in subsection c. of this section.

c. Moneys deposited into the fund generated by the collection of application fees for animal welfare license plates issued pursuant to P.L.1993, c.184 (C.39:3-27.55 et seq.) shall be utilized by the commissioner to reimburse the Division of Motor Vehicles for all costs incurred by the division, as certified by the director, of producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of animal welfare license plates.

No moneys deposited in the "Animal Population Control Fund," established in subsection b. of this section, except for the moneys generated by the collection of application fees for animal welfare license plates issued pursuant to P.L.1993, c.184 (C.39:3-27.55 et seq.), shall be utilized by the Department of Health or the Division of Motor Vehicles for any expenses, administrative or otherwise, related to the animal welfare license plates, or the advertising and publicizing thereof, including, but not limited to notices, posters and signs to be circulated or posted by the department or the division.

d. The director shall annually certify to the commissioner the average cost per license plate incurred in the immediately preceding year by the division in producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of animal welfare license plates. The annual certification of the average cost per license plate shall be approved by the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, or its successor.

e. In the event that the average cost per license plate as certified by the director and approved by the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, or its successor, is greater than the $50 application fee established in subsection b. of section 1 of P.L.1993, c.184 (C.39:3-27.55) in two consecutive fiscal years, the director may discontinue the issuance of animal welfare license plates.

L.1983,c.172,s.6; amended 1993,c.184,s.5; 1995,c.145,s.3.