(a) The owner of any vehicle described in paragraph (b) of this subsection may apply to the Department for the assignment to that vehicle of a special animal welfare registration.

(b) This section applies only to:

(1) A private passenger vehicle; or

(2) A truck or trailer with a manufacturer‘s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 pounds or less.

(c) Upon the initial application for a plate to be issued pursuant to this section, a 1-time fee of $50, which includes an administrative fee of $15, is required in addition to the annual registration fee required by this title. This additional fee is required for members of nonprofit organizations even if members are exempt from registration fees under § 2159 of this title. A replacement plate may be obtained upon payment of a fee to be set by the Division which shall cover the cost of the plate.

(d) The 1-time administrative fee collected pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall be deposited into a special fund and used by the Division of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of promoting the sale of the plate and administering this section. Proceeds remaining after the Division of Motor Vehicles have covered the costs of promoting and administering this section shall be applied pursuant to subsection (f) of this section.

(e) All registration plates issued pursuant to this section shall be of the colors and design as determined by the Committee. The numbers and/or letters assigned will be the same as the current license plate assigned to the vehicle. The license plate may also include words, a slogan or an emblem indicating support for, or interest in, animal welfare. The Committee may at its discretion drop the wording “The First State” and substitute in place thereof an animal welfare slogan. The Division of Motor Vehicles shall have the power to refuse any design which it believes would cause a public safety enforcement problem.

(f) The funds derived by the State from that portion of the 1-time fee of $50 that is not defined as an administrative fee pursuant to subsection (d) of this section shall be deposited in the State Treasury and credited to a special fund account to be known as the Animal Welfare License Fund in the Department of Health and Social Services, Public Health Division. The Department of Health and Social Services shall divide the funds between organizations or veterinary clinics that provide low-cost dog or cat spaying and neutering services and nonprofit organizations that provide shelter to unwanted stray dogs and cats. In determining how the funds shall be expended, the Department of Health and Social Services shall consider the recommendations of the Fund Committee, as defined in subsection (g) of this section below, provided that such recommendations shall not be binding on the Department of Health and Social Services.

(g) For purposes of this section, the “Fund Committee” shall consist of the following 7 members or their respective designees:

(1) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, who shall also act as Chairperson of the committee and shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting member.

(2) The Executive Director of the First State Animal Center-SPCA.

(3) The Executive Director of the Delaware SPCA.

(4) The Executive Director of the Delaware Humane Association.

(5) The Executive Director of the Faithful Friends Animal Society.

(6) The President of the State Veterinary Board.

(7) The Executive Director of the Brandywine Valley SPCA.

The Fund Committee shall meet as often as is necessary at times and in locations specified by the Chairperson. The Fund Committee shall issue recommendations to the Department of Health and Social Services as often as the Chairperson deems necessary but no less often than annually. Three members shall comprise a quorum and actions by the committee may only be taken by majority vote of those members present. The members shall receive no compensation for their services. Any member who fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings, or who fails to attend at least 1/2 of all regular business meetings during any calendar year, shall automatically upon such occurrence be deemed to have resigned from the Fund Committee and a replacement shall be appointed by the Chairperson. The Fund Committee is authorized to adopt such rules and procedures as may be necessary or convenient to accomplish the purposes set forth in this section, including without limitation, the adoption of conflict of interest rules.

(h) The Division of Motor Vehicles may promulgate rules and regulations as required to administer this section.

70 Del. Laws, c. 276, § ?2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 476, §§ ?1, 2; 78 Del. Laws, c. 235, § ?1; 79 Del. Laws, c. 78, § ?148; 79 Del. Laws, c. 377, § ?3; 81 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 82 Del. Laws, c. 133, § 1;