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An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the We Support Our Troops Registration Plates
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §456-D, sub-§2, ¶A, as repealed and replaced by PL 2007, c. 703, §7, is amended to read:
 
A. Ten dollars to the Maine National Guard Foundation Fund Special Revenue Funds account in the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, referred to in this section as "the fund," for use in accordance with subsection 7;
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §456-D, sub-§8, as repealed and replaced by PL 2007, c. 703, §7, is amended to read:
 
8. We Support Our Troops Advisory Board. The We Support Our Troops Advisory Board, as established by Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 84-A and referred to in this section as "the board," consists of 9 members:
 
A. Eight members appointed by the Governor, in consultation with the Adjutant General of the State of Maine:
 
(1) Two persons, each representing the interests of the Maine National Guard;
 
(2) Two persons, each representing the interests of Maine residents in the Reserves of the Armed Forces of the United States; and
 
(3) Four persons representing the interests of the public; and
 
B. The Adjutant General of the State of Maine.
 
The Adjutant General serves during the Adjutant General's term of office. The terms of members appointed under paragraph A are for 3 years. Members may be reappointed for subsequent terms. A vacancy must be filled in the same manner as an original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.
 
The board shall determine the use of the revenue in the fund that is attributable to the issuance and renewal of We Support Our Troops plates. Revenue in the fund must be used to provide financial assistance in the form of loans or grants to members of the Maine National Guard, residents of the State who are members of the Reserves of the Armed Forces of the United States and the families of those members of the Maine National Guard or Reserves of the Armed Forces of the United States for emergencies and other special needs.
 
The board shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters by June 30th of each year. The report must provide a detailed account of funds for each fiscal year and include the number of loans and grants awarded, the names of those who received loans and grant money, a description of the process for awarding loans and grants and the total amount of loan and grant money awarded.
 
SUMMARY
This bill clarifies where in the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management proceeds from the sale of We Support Our Troops registration plates are to be deposited and specifies the authority of the We Support Our Troops Advisory Board with respect to the determination of the use of these proceeds.