TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 132 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 56 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES MAY ISSUE SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES TO RECIPIENTS OF THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Chapter 3, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 56-3-13210.        (A)    The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue a special motor vehicle license plate for use on private passenger motor vehicles or motorcycles to recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The annual fee for the special license plate is the same as the fee provided for in Section 56-3-2020 and only one plate may be issued to a person. The application for a special plate must include a letter or DD214 from the Department of Veteran Affairs that indicates that the applicant is a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

(B)    The special license plates must be of the same size as regular motor vehicle license plates, upon which must be imprinted the distinctive Distinguished Flying Cross insignia, the words 'Distinguished Flying Cross', and numbers, letters, and designs determined by the department. The license plate must be issued for a biannual period which shall expire twenty-four months from the month in which the special license plate is issued.

(C)    A license plate issued pursuant to this article may be transferred to another vehicle of the same weight class owned by the same person upon application being made and approved by the department. It is unlawful for a person to whom the special plate has been issued to knowingly permit it to be displayed on any vehicle except the one authorized by the department.

(D)    The guidelines for the production of a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.