SB 88 - Firefighter License Plates
On March 11th, Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D - Antioch) amended his SB 88 to address an issue important to California firefighters and their families. Prior to the incorporation of these amendments, SB 88 had contained language relating to municipal bankruptcy proceedings.
Existing law requires spouses of fallen firefighters to transfer a firefighter license plate in their name upon the death of their spouse, if they do so within 60 days of the firefighter's death. As amended, SB 88 eliminates the current 60-day transfer period. SB 88 also allows other specified survivors to elect to keep the plate for personal memorabilia purposes in the event there is no surviving spouse.
Further, the amendments increase the fees paid by firefighters when acquiring or renewing a firefighter license plate in an amount that is in line with other specialty plates. In doing so, additional revenue would be generated for the purpose of sustaining the California Fire Foundation, which is the non-profit organization charged with, among other public benefit duties, maintaining the California Firefighters Memorial in Capitol Park. Etched in the Memorial's limestone walls are the names of over 1000 men and women who relentlessly put themselves in the face of danger every day, protecting the people and property of the great state of California.
California firefighter license plate program was designed and created by the California Professional Firefighters. Using an image from the 1991 box office hit, "Backdraft," the California firefighter license plate has become a key trademark within the fire service; enabling only active and retired firefighters to purchase these plates for display on their automobiles, trucks, trailers and motorcycles.
The money collected through the license plate program goes to the California Firefighters' Memorial Fund, which provides critically needed assistance to the California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation is charged with, among other things, maintaining the California Firefighters Memorial located in Capitol Park, which was unveiled in 2002 to honor our state's firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in their call to duty. Further, the Foundation is charged with conducting ceremonies honoring the fallen and their families each year at the Memorial site.
The Foundation is also charged with organizing special public benefit programs, such as providing emergency assistance and support to the families of fallen firefighters and, it is involved in an array of victim assistance and public education projects, including Firefighters On Your Side - a statewide program educating every population and language group about fire safety.
SB 88 was unanimously appropved by the Assembly Transportation Committee on June 14, 2010. This bill was then referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee where it where is passed unanimously on August 4th, 2010. This bill was then approved with no "no" votes by the Assembly Floor on August 16th. It then returned to the Senate, where the Senate Transporation and Housing Committee approved the bill with a 7-1 vote before returning to the Senate floor where it was approved 34-1 on August 19th. This bill was signed by the Governor on September 27th and will go into effect January 1, 2011.
For more information contact CPF Legislative Director Amy Howard.
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