Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §456-C is enacted to read:

§456-C.__Agriculture recognition registration plates

Beginning November 1, 2006, the Secretary of State, in accordance with this section and section 468, shall issue registration plates for the purpose of raising awareness of agriculture among students, educators and the general public and encouraging the youth of this State to participate in this industry.__Agriculture recognition plates are not required for registration of a motor vehicle but are to allow citizens to participate voluntarily to fund programs that benefit agricultural youth organizations.

1.__Agriculture recognition registration plate.__The Secretary of State, upon receiving an application and evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482, the registration fee required by section 501 and the administrative fee and contribution provided for in subsection 2, shall issue a registration certificate and a set of agriculture recognition registration plates to be used in lieu of regular registration plates.__These plates must bear identification numbers and letters.

2.__Administrative fee and contribution to special programs. A person may contribute to the Agriculture Recognition Special Programs Fund established in subsection 5 by applying for the agriculture recognition registration plates and submitting, in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee, a sum of $20, which must be deposited with the Treasurer of State and credited as follows:

A.__Ten dollars to the Agriculture Recognition Special Programs Fund established in subsection 5; and

B.__Ten dollars to the Specialty License Plate Fund as established in section 469 for administrative and production costs.

3. Design.__ A sponsor must submit a design for the agriculture recognition registration plate to the Secretary of State for approval or modification in accordance with section 468, subsection 6.

4.__ Renewal fee.__In addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee prescribed by law, the annual renewal contribution for agriculture recognition registration plates is $15, which must be deposited with the Treasurer of State and credited as follows: