1. (a) The owner of a motor vehicle, or a lessee of the vehicle under a lease not intended as security, or a director, officer, employee, or partner of a business entity that owns the vehicle who is a member or, subject to subsection (c)(3) of this section, the surviving spouse of a member, of an organization considered eligible by the Administration may apply to the Administration for the assignment of a special registration number if the vehicle is included in one of the following classes:

   1. (1) A Class A (passenger) vehicle;
   2. (2) A Class E (truck) vehicle with a manufacturer's rated capacity of one ton or less; or
   3. (3) A Class M (multipurpose) vehicle.

2. (b)

   1. (1) In this subsection, “motorcyclist organization” means a motorcyclist organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that:

      1. (i) Is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
      2. (ii) Is determined by the Administration to be eligible under this section.
   2. (2) The owner of a Class D (motorcycle) vehicle who is a member of a motorcyclist organization may apply to the Administration for the assignment of a special registration number for the vehicle.

3. (c) The Administration may issue and continue a special registration number under this section if:

   1. (1) The owner of the motor vehicle submits, with the original application, proof satisfactory to the Administration that the owner of the vehicle is a member of a nonprofit organization and complies with the regulations adopted by the Administration under subsection (d) of this section;
   2. (2) At least 25 owners of vehicles in a class apply to the Administration for the assignment of special registration numbers, and at least 25 special registration numbers are issued initially; and
   3. (3) In the case of an owner who is applying as a surviving spouse, the owner submits proof satisfactory to the Administration that at the time of death of the owner's spouse, the deceased spouse was the holder of a special registration number issued under this section.
4. (d) The Administration shall adopt regulations not inconsistent with the Maryland Vehicle Law¹ to govern the issuance of special registration plates to members of nonprofit organizations under this section.

5. (e)

   1. (1) In addition to the annual registration fee otherwise required under this title, an owner of a vehicle assigned a special registration under this section shall pay a fee determined by the Administration each time new registration plates are issued for the vehicle.

   2. (2) The fee:

      1. (i) May not exceed the amount required to enable the Administration to recover its costs under this section;
      2. (ii) Shall be retained by the Administration for the purpose of recovering its cost under this section; and
      3. (iii) May not be credited to the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account for distribution under § 8-403 or § 8-404 of this article.

6. (f) The additional fee required under subsection (e) of this section is not required for special registration of a vehicle that is exempt under § 13-903 of this title, or a vehicle with a special registration plate recognizing:

   1. (1) The Maryland National Guard; or
   2. (2) A volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad, or volunteer ambulance company in this State.

7. (g)

   1. (1) The special registration plates or plate issued under this section may consist of:

      1. (i) 1. Any combination of letters, numerals, or both; and

         1. 2. The name, initials, or abbreviation of the name of the organization; or

      2. (ii) 1. Any combination of letters, numerals, or both;

         1. 2. The name, initials, or abbreviation of the name of the organization; and
         2. 3. An emblem or logo as authorized by the Administration that depicts the organization.
   2. (2) A special registration number assigned under this section shall be displayed on the registration plates or plate for the vehicle.
   3. (3) An organization may, at its option, receive a special registration under either paragraph (1)(i) or paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, but not under both.

Added by Acts 1985, c. 516, § 1. Amended by Acts 1986, c. 850; Acts 1990, c. 69, § 2; Acts 1993, c. 128; Acts 1995, c. 3, § 1, eff. March 7, 1995; Acts 1995, c. 558, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1996, c. 223, § 1, eff. April 30, 1996; Acts 1996, c. 432, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1996.

Transportation, § 11-101 et seq.