AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO ISSUE A RED WOLF SPECIAL REGISTRATION PLATE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE FEES FROM THE PLATE TO SUPPORT RED WOLF CONSERVATION, TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND INITIAL ISSUANCE OF THE PLATE AND FOR CAMPUS PROMOTION OF THE PLATE, AND TO DIRECT NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY TO PROMOTE THE PLATE ON CAMPUS.

Whereas, the red wolf is one of the rarest canids in the world and is native to North Carolina and the southeastern United States; and

Whereas, North Carolina holds a unique place in the history and future of red wolf conservation; and

Whereas, the preservation of native wildlife is important to the natural heritage, environmental health, educational mission, and cultural identity of the State; and

Whereas, the creation of a Red Wolf special registration plate would allow residents of the State to demonstrate support for the preservation of this iconic native species; and

Whereas, revenues generated from the issuance of the Red Wolf special registration plate can provide a recurring source of support for red wolf conservation, management, research, monitoring, and habitat preservation and restoration; and

Whereas, it is in the interest of the State to provide one‑time funds to support the initial design, development, and issuance of the plate so that the plate may be made available without unnecessary delay; and

Whereas, North Carolina State University, as a leading public institution with the Wolfpack identity and a broad statewide alumni and supporter network, is well positioned to help promote awareness of the Red Wolf special registration plate and its conservation purpose; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑63 reads as rewritten:

§ 20‑63.  Registration plates furnished by Division; requirements; replacement of regular plates with First in Flight plates, First in Freedom plates, or National/State Mottos plates; surrender and reissuance; displaying; preservation and cleaning; alteration or concealment of numbers; commission contracts for issuance.

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(b1)      The following special registration plates do not have to be a First in Flight plate, First in Freedom plate, or National/State Mottos plate as provided in subsection (b) of this section. The design of the plates that are not First in Flight plates, First in Freedom plates, or National/State Mottos plate must be developed in accordance with G.S. 20‑79.4(a3). For special plates authorized in G.S. 20‑79.7 on or after July 1, 2013, the Division may not issue the plate on a background under this subsection unless it receives the required number of applications set forth in G.S. 20‑79.3A(a).

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()          Red Wolf.

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SECTION 2.  G.S. 20‑79.4 reads as rewritten:

§ 20‑79.4.  Special registration plates.

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(b)        Types. – The Division shall issue the following types of special registration plates:

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()          Red Wolf. – Issuable to the registered owner of a motor vehicle in accordance with G.S. 20‑81.12. The plate shall bear the phrase Red Wolf and an image that depicts a red wolf. The plate authorized by this subdivision is not subject to the provisions of G.S. 20‑79.3A or G.S. 20‑79.8.

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SECTION 3.  G.S. 20‑79.7 reads as rewritten:

§ 20‑79.7.  Fees for special registration plates and distribution of the fees.

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(a1)      Fees. – All other special registration plates are subject to the regular motor vehicle registration fee in G.S. 20‑87 or G.S. 20‑88 plus an additional fee in the following amount:

Special Plate                                                                     Additional Fee Amount

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Red Drum                                                                         Expired July 1, 2016

Red Wolf                                                                          $30.00

Retired Legislator                                                             $30.00

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(b)        Distribution of Fees. – The Special Registration Plate Account and the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account are established within the Highway Fund. The Division must credit the additional fee imposed for the special registration plates listed in subsection (a1) of this section among the Special Registration Plate Account (SRPA), the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account (CCAPA), the North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF) which is established under G.S. 143B‑135.234, and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, which is established under G.S. 143B‑135.56, as follows:

Special Plate                                 SRPA         CCAPA            NCLWF        PRTF

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Professional Engineer – Expired

July 1, 2016

Red Wolf                                        $10              $20                     0                      0

Retired Legislator                           $10              $20                     0                      0

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SECTION 4.  G.S. 20‑81.12 is amended by adding the following new subsection to read:

()        Red Wolf. – The Division shall transfer quarterly the money in the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account derived from the sale of Red Wolf plates to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to be used for red wolf conservation, management, research, monitoring, and habitat preservation and restoration.

SECTION 5.  The Revisor of Statutes is authorized to alphabetize, number, and renumber the special registration plates listed in G.S. 20‑63(b1), 20‑79.4(b) and 20‑81.12 to ensure that all of the special registration plates are listed in alphabetical order and numbered accordingly.

SECTION 6.  North Carolina State University, through the College of Veterinary Medicine, shall actively promote the Red Wolf special registration plate on campus and through appropriate university communications channels by, at a minimum, doing all of the following:

(1)        Include information about the availability and purpose of the plate on an appropriate University webpage.

(2)        Promote the plate through student, alumni, faculty, staff, and athletics communications, as appropriate.

(3)        Coordinate, as appropriate, with the Division of Motor Vehicles and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission on messaging regarding the plate and the conservation purpose for which plate proceeds are used.

(4)        Make reasonable efforts to market the plate at campus events and through other outreach channels under the University's control.

SECTION 7.  No later than September 1, 2027, North Carolina State University, in consultation with the Division of Motor Vehicles and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, shall report to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Natural, and Economic Resources, the House Appropriations Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division on the University's efforts to promote the plate and the number of plates issued.

SECTION 8.  There is appropriated from the Highway Fund to the Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles, the sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year to develop the Red Wolf special registration plate authorized by this act, including plate design, programming, setup, production preparation, and associated administrative costs for initial implementation.

SECTION 9.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to The University of North Carolina Board of Governors for allocation to North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year to support the initial promotion and public awareness of the Red Wolf special registration plate established by this act.

SECTION 10.  Sections 8 and 9 of this act become effective July 1, 2026. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.