Chapter 261-B: Multi-Use Decal Plates

The department of safety shall issue multi-use decal plates. The design shall provide an area 3 inches by 3 inches for the placement of a decal representing an organization authorized by statute to issue decals or a decal issued by a city or town fire chief to a firefighter or retired firefighter. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, multi-use decal plates shall have the same effect and be issued in the same manner as other number plates. Multi-use number plates shall retain the "live free or die" logo.

I. Decals shall be made of nonreflectorized material and manufactured to maintain their visibility for a minimum of 36 months.

II. Decals may only be placed on multi-use decal plates issued pursuant to this chapter.

III. Except for decals issued by city or town fire chiefs to firefighters and retired firefighters, decals shall be distributed by organizations authorized by statute.

IV. Decals shall include a unique sequence number.

V. The authorized organization may collect a fee for the decal.

I. Organizations that have statutory authority to issue decals (i) shall have been granted and continue to hold tax exempt status under 26 U.S.C. section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(8), or 501(c)(10) to participate in the multi-use decal number plate program, (ii) shall have a New Hampshire address registered with the department of justice or, if the organization is not required to register with the department of justice, shall be locally chartered by a national organization, and (iii) shall not be named for, or associated with, a political issue or a person who seeks, holds, or has held a public office. To issue decals under this chapter, an organization shall file an annual report with the director of motor vehicles, in a format and time established by the director, containing the following:

(a) Address of the organization's headquarters.

(b) Name, address, and telephone number of the coordinator of the organization's decal program.

(c) A sample of the decal to be issued.

(d) A statement verifying that the images used in the decals do not infringe on any other person's intellectual property or a release from the owner authorizing the use of the images.

(e) A list of persons receiving decals from the organization and the sequence number assigned to each person.

(f) Fees received by the organization and their distribution.

(g) Verification of the organization's continuing status as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(8), or 501(c)(10).

(h) A statement that the organization will continue to participate in the program.

II. An organization may end its participation in the multi-use decal number plate program by written notification to the director of motor vehicles and filing a final annual report within 30 days of the notification.

III. Participation in the multi-use decal number plate program shall terminate automatically if the organization fails to file its annual report under paragraph I or files a report that does not include the statement required by subparagraph I(h).

IV. A person displaying the decal of an organization that is no longer participating in the program on a multi-use decal number plate may continue to display the decal until the next expiration of the vehicle's registration.

V. Organizations shall allow a purchaser of a decal to purchase a new decal no less frequently than every 36 months.

VI. Organizations authorized to issue decals may offer more than one decal design for their organization.

I. A city or town fire chief may issue a firefighter decal to a full-time or volunteer firefighter employed by the city or town or a retired firefighter. A firefighter decal may only be placed on the multi-use decal plate of a motor vehicle registered and owned or leased by the firefighter.

II. Emergency medical services chiefs and fire chiefs may issue an emergency medical services decal solely to emergency medical services personnel and retired emergency medical services personnel. An emergency medical services decal may only be placed on a multi-use decal plate on a motor vehicle owned and registered or leased by the emergency services personnel.

The University of New Hampshire Foundation is authorized to issue decals under this chapter.

A family member of a person killed while on duty in the United States armed forces shall qualify for a gold star family decal as outlined in RSA 261-C:3-a.

I. The fee for multi-use decal number plates shall be $15 per year per set, which shall be in addition to any other registration and number plate fees. This fee shall not be prorated.

II. The commissioner of the department of safety shall deposit $5 from each fee collected under paragraph I in the department of safety inventory fund established by RSA 228:25. The remainder shall be deposited in the highway fund.

Multi-use decal number plates may be used on passenger motor vehicles and recreation vehicles.

Only decals issued by fire chiefs or organizations authorized by statute may be displayed on multi-use decal number plates. Use of an unauthorized decal shall be a violation punishable by a fine of $50 plus penalty assessment.

The holder of a multi-use decal number plate may replace a decal with a decal from a different authorized organization.

The commissioner of the department of safety shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to the administration of the multi-use decal number plate program.

The following organizations are authorized to issue decals under this chapter:

I. Rotary District 7870 Foundation.

II. The Daniel Webster Council of Boy Scouts of America.

III. The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, Inc.

IV. Granite Pathways.

V. The New Hampshire Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Association.

VI. Friends of the Hampton Falls Bandstand, Inc.

VII. Seacoast Youth Services.

VIII. New Hampshire Catholic Charities, provided that all proceeds from decals issued by New Hampshire Catholic Charities shall be for the benefit of the New Hampshire Food Bank.

IX. New England Donor Services, Inc.

X. Sophia's Fund.

XI. The New Hampshire Breast Cancer Coalition.

XII. The university system of New Hampshire. Keene state college and Plymouth state university are each authorized to issue decals, provided that all proceeds shall remain with the issuing institution and be used only for student scholarships.

XIII. Future in Sight.

XIV. The Society of Mayflower Descendents in the State of New Hampshire.

XV. The Harris Center for Conservation Education.

XVI. The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons in New Hampshire.

XVII. The New Hampshire State Council of the Knights of Columbus.

XVIII. The Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains.

XIX. The New Hampshire Towing Association.

XX. The Injury Prevention Center.

XXI. Snow-Traveler Foundation.