STATE OF NEW YORK
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10699
IN SENATE
September 11, 2026
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Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing
distinctive "In God We Trust" license plates
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new
2 section 404-ff to read as follows:
3 § 404-ff. Distinctive "In God We Trust" license plates. 1. Any person
4 residing in this state shall, upon request, be issued a license plate
5 bearing the words "In God We Trust". Application for said license plate
6 shall be filed with the commissioner in such form and detail as the
7 commissioner shall prescribe.
8 2. A distinctive plate issued pursuant to this section shall be issued
9 in the same manner as other number plates upon the payment of the regu-
10 lar registration fee prescribed in section four hundred one of this
11 article, provided, however, that an additional annual service charge of
12 twenty-five dollars shall be charged for such plate.
13 § 2. 1. A distinctive plate established pursuant to section 404-ff of
14 the vehicle and traffic law, as added by section one of this act, shall
15 only be designed, produced and issued upon the delivery to the depart-
16 ment of motor vehicles of a surety bond in the amount of six thousand
17 dollars, which shall be executed by a surety company authorized by the
18 department of financial services to transact business in this state.
19 Provided, however, that if the commissioner of motor vehicles shall have
20 received prior to plate design, production and issuance at least two
21 hundred orders for such distinctive plate together with the additional
22 annual service charge applicable to each such order, which shall be
23 non-refundable, no such surety bond shall be required. All service
24 charges collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited pursuant
25 to the provisions of section 404-oo of the vehicle and traffic law to
26 the credit of the department of motor vehicles distinctive plate devel-
27 opment fund established by section 95-g of the state finance law and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16347-01-6
S. 10699 2
1 shall be used for the design, production, advertising and distribution
2 of distinctive license plates in accordance with such section 95-g.
3 2. If, upon the expiration of two years following the date upon which
4 distinctive plates in the series are first available for sale two
5 hundred or more sets of such plates are sold, a bond delivered pursuant
6 to this section shall be discontinued. If fewer than two hundred sets of
7 such plates are sold by such time, the department of motor vehicles
8 shall be entitled to recover against the bond in an amount proportionate
9 to such shortfall.
10 § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
11 it shall have become a law; provided, however, that section two of this
12 act shall take effect immediately. Effective immediately, the addition,
13 amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the
14 implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be
15 made and completed on or before such effective date.
