Section 134.03. Application for designation as an authorized special group.

 

(1)   Application.

(a) A group wishing to be designated as an authorized special group may apply to the department upon the form provided by the department.

(b) The application form shall be determined by the department and shall require that the group certify that it meets all of the following criteria:

1. The group or organization is not organized or operated for profit.

2. The group or organization is not a political committee, as defined in s. 11.01 (4) , Stats., or a political group, as defined in s. 11.01 (10) , Stats.

3. The group or organization is not a church, a synagogue, a mosque or any organization, whether or not organized under ch. 187 , Stats. , that operates under a creed.

4. The group or organization does not promote, practice or encourage hatred or any form of discrimination.

5. The group or organization does not carry connotations offensive to good taste or decency, or that would be misleading or in conflict with the enumeration of any other authorized special group.

(c) The application shall require that the group certify that it has obtained any necessary approvals for use of a logo or trademark to be included in the design of a special group license plate.

(d) If the group is incorporated, the application shall be accompanied by a copy of the group's articles of incorporation and by-laws.

(e) If the group is not incorporated, the application shall be accompanied by a copy of a document setting forth the group's purpose.

(f) The department may verify whether the group meets the criteria specified in sub. (1) (b) and has the approvals specified in sub. (1) (c) . In order to verify that the group meets the eligibility requirements established in s. 341.14 (6r) (fm) 1. , Stats., the department may consult with other state, federal or local agencies, national organizations, and other similar sources and may request that the group submit additional information that the department decides is reasonably necessary to determine if the group is entitled to designation as a special group.

(2)   Fee deposit.

(a) Along with the application, the group shall submit a deposit of $15,500 by check made payable to the department of transportation. If the application is approved, up to $12,000 of the deposit may be returned to the group as provided in s. 341.14 (6r) (fm) 2. a. , Stats.

(b) The department shall do an initial review of the group's application, and if the application is not acceptable after the initial review, the department shall return the application and the check.

(c) If the department's initial review of the application indicates that further review is necessary, the department shall deposit the check in the general fund and credit the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (cj) , Stats.

(d) If the department rejects the group's application, it shall refund the deposit to the group.

(e) A group may withdraw its application any time before the department has approved the application, and the department shall refund the entire deposit. In order to receive a full refund, notice of withdrawal must be received by the department prior to its decision approving the application.

(f) If the group withdraws its application after the department has approved the application but before plate design is finalized, the department shall retain $3,500 and shall refund $12,000 of the deposit. The $3,500 retained by the department shall be used to offset the costs of data processing work performed upon approval of the application.

(g) If the group withdraws its application after the department has approved the application and after plates are ordered, the department shall retain the entire $15,500 deposit to offset the cost of data processing work and the cost of purchasing and issuing the plates.

History: Cr. Register, December, 1999, No. 528 , eff. 1-1-00.

Note

To apply for designation as an authorized special group, complete Form MV2908 which can be obtained by writing to the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Vehicle Services, P. O. Box 7911, or by calling [phone]. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1