AN ACT to require that special plates that are AVAILABLE to military veterans are issued only to appropriate applicants.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑79.4 reads as rewritten:
"…
(a1)	Qualifying for a Special Plate. – In order to qualify for a special plate, an applicant shall meet all of the qualifications set out in this section. The Division of Motor Vehicles shall verify the qualifications of an individual to whom any special plate is issued to ensure only qualified applicants receive the requested special plates. 
(a2)	Special Plates Based Upon Military Service. – The Division of Veterans Affairs shall be responsible for verifying and maintaining all verification documentation for all special plates that are based upon military service. The Division shall not issue a special plate that is based on military service unless the application is accompanied by a motor vehicle registration (MVR) verification form signed by the Director of the Division of Veterans Affairs, or the Director's designee, showing that the Division of Veterans Affairs has verified the applicant's credentials and qualifications to hold the special plate applied for. 
(1)	Unless a qualifying condition exists requiring annual verification, no additional verification shall be required to renew a special registration plate either in person or through an online service. 
(2)	If the Division of Veterans Affairs determines a special registration plate has been issued due to an error on the part of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the plate shall be recalled and canceled. 
(3)	If the Division of Veterans Affairs determines a special registration plate has been issued to an applicant who falsified documents or has fraudulently applied for the special registration plate, the Division of Motor Vehicles shall revoke the special plate and take appropriate enforcement action.
…."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 11th day of June, 2009.

	s/	 Marc Basnight
	 President Pro Tempore of the Senate

	s/	 Joe Hackney
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Beverly E. Perdue
	 Governor

Approved 11:28 a.m. this 19th day of June, 2009