AN ACT requiring the division of motor VEHICLES to provide free of charge special registration plates to purple heart award recipients.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑79.7 reads as rewritten:

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

(a)        Free of Charge. – Upon request, and except for the special registration plate listed in subdivision (2) subdivisions (2) and (6) of this subsection, the Division shall annually provide and issue free of charge a single special registration plate listed in this subsection to a person qualified to receive the plate in accordance with G.S. 20‑79.4(a2). For the special registration plate plates listed in subdivision (2) subdivisions (2) and (6) of this subsection, and upon request, the Division shall annually provide and issue free of charge a single registration plate for both a motor vehicle and a motorcycle to a person qualified to receive each plate in accordance with G.S. 20‑79.4(a2). This subsection does not apply to a special registration plate issued for a vehicle that has a registered weight greater than 6,000 pounds. The regular motor vehicle registration fees in G.S. 20‑88 apply if the registered weight of the vehicle is greater than 6,000 pounds:

(1)        A Legion of Valor registration plate to a recipient of the Legion of Valor award.

(2)        A 100% Disabled Veteran registration plate to a 100% disabled veteran.

(3)        An Ex‑Prisoner of War registration plate to an ex‑prisoner of war.

(4)        A Bronze Star Valor registration plate to a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for valor in combat award.

(5)        A Silver Star registration plate to a recipient of the Silver Star award.

(6)        A Purple Heart registration plate to a recipient of the Purple Heart award.

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SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2022, and applies to special registration plates issued or renewed on or after that date.