Existing law establishes a specialized license plate program and requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue specialized license plates on behalf of a sponsoring state agency that meets certain requirements. Existing law requires that the DMV charge specified additional fees for the issuance, renewal, or transfer of specialized license plates, and requires the DMV to deposit the fees, less the DMV’s costs, into the Specialized License Plate Fund. Existing law requires that moneys in the fund be allocated, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to each sponsoring agency in proportion to the amount that is attributable to the agency’s specialized license plate program. Existing law authorizes the sponsoring state agency to use these moneys to fund projects and programs that promote the state agency’s official policy, mission, or work.

The bill would require the DMV to deposit fees for the issuance, renewal, or transfer of the Pet Lover’s specialized license plates, less the DMV’s costs, into the Pet Lover’s Fund, which the bill would establish in the Specialized License Plate Fund, for the deposit of revenue derived from these specialized license plates. The bill would require that these funds be allocated, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the Veterinary Medical Board for disbursement by a nonprofit organization selected by the board to fund grants to providers of no-cost or low-cost animal sterilization services. The bill would require the board to determine eligibility requirements for the grants, establish the grant application process, and develop program specifics. The bill would authorize the board to contract with an entity, including a nonprofit organization, to provide advice, consultation, and administrative services for purposes of implementing and administering the grant program. The bill would require the board to provide oversight for the disbursal of grant funds under the grant program.