(a) On and after January 1, 2003, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue United We Stand commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public solidarity following the acts of terrorism committed on September 11, 2001. Such plates shall bear the words “United We Stand” and the image of the American flag. Said design may be determined by a contest coordinated by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

      (b) A fee of fifty dollars shall be charged for United We Stand commemorative number plates, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such number plates and thirty-five dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for purposes of section 14-21p. No additional fee shall be charged in connection with the renewal of such number plates. No transfer fee shall be charged for the transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with United We Stand commemorative number plates. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish a higher fee for: (1) Number plates which contain the numbers and letters from a previously issued number plate; (2) number plates which contain letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section; and (3) number plates which are low number plates issued in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section, except moneys designated for administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be deposited in the United We Stand commemorative account established pursuant to section 14-21p.

      (c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of United We Stand commemorative number plates.