2023 Tennessee Code › Title 55 - MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES (§§ 55-1-101 — 55-53-105) › Chapter 4 - REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (§§ 55-4-NEW — 55-4-702) › Part 3 - SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES - CONTINUED (§§ 55-4-301 — 55-4-399) › Section 55-4-304 - Animals and animal welfare

(a)
(1)
An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in §
55-4-204
, shall be issued an Animal Friendly new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by §
55-4-210(c)
.
(2)
The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (a) must contain an appropriate image, design, or logo that depicts an animal or animals and indicates support for animal welfare. The plates must bear the legend "Spay/Neuter".
(3)
(A)
(i)
The funds produced from the sale of the Animal Friendly new specialty earmarked license plates must be deposited in a special fund in the general fund, in accordance with §
55-4-301
, to be used exclusively for grants to nonprofit organizations or governmental agencies to provide low-cost spaying and neutering of unsterilized animals to prevent or reduce animal overpopulation as well as funding to defray costs incurred by the department of agriculture associated with the licensing of dog and cat dealers pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, not to exceed eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) per year and not to be available to the department for such purposes after July 1, 2004.
(ii)
(a)
During the first fiscal year in which revenues derived from the fees collected pursuant to title 44, chapter 17, part 1, exceed one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000), the department of agriculture shall allocate all the revenues in excess of one hundred thirty thousand dollars ($130,000) to the animal population control endowment fund.
(b)
The department of agriculture shall continue the procedure outlined in subdivision (a)(3)(A)(ii)(a) during subsequent fiscal years until such time as the department has made reimbursements to the animal population control endowment fund in a total amount of one hundred sixty thousand dollars ($160,000).
(iii)
The commissioner of agriculture is authorized to make grants to eligible organizations to operate animal sterilization programs from moneys available in the special fund.
(B)
There is established a general fund reserve to be allocated by the general appropriations act to be known as the animal population control endowment fund. Moneys from the fund may be expended to fund activities authorized by this subsection (a). Revenues deposited in this reserve must remain in the reserve until expended for purposes consistent with this subsection (a), and shall not revert to the general fund on any June 30. Any excess revenues on interest earned by the revenues shall not revert on any June 30, but must remain available for appropriation in subsequent fiscal years. An appropriation from this reserve shall not revert to the general fund on any June 30, but must remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years.
(C)
All revenues produced from the sale and renewal of the new specialty earmarked plates authorized by this subsection (a) must be allocated in accordance with §
55-4-301
.
(b)
(1)
An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in §
55-4-204
, shall be issued a Tennessee Walking Horse new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by §
55-4-210(c)
.
(2)
The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (b) must bear the image of or a design depicting the Tennessee Walking Horse.
(3)
The funds produced from the sale of Tennessee Walking Horse new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association, in accordance with §
55-4-301
. The funds must be used exclusively to maintain the purity of the breed, to promote greater awareness of the Tennessee Walking Horse and its qualities, to encourage expansion of the breed, and to help assure its general welfare in Tennessee.
(c)
(1)
An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in §
55-4-204
, shall be issued a Service Dogs new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by §
55-4-210(c)
.
(2)
The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (c) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Smoky Mountain Service Dogs.
(3)
The funds produced from the sale of Service Dogs new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, in accordance with §
55-4-301
. The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to enhance the physical and psychological quality of life for wounded veterans by providing trained service dogs to disabled veterans.
(d)
(1)
An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in §
55-4-204
, shall be issued a Service Dogs Changing Lives new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by §
55-4-210(c)
.
(2)
The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (d) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Retrieving Independence.
(3)
The funds produced from the sale of Service Dogs Changing Lives new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Retrieving Independence, in accordance with §
55-4-301
. The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to breed, train, and place service dogs with people who are living with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
(4)
Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1), the Service Dogs Changing Lives new specialty earmarked license. plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (d) has until July 1, 2025, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1).
(e)
(1)
An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in §
55-4-204
, shall be issued an Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by §
55-4-210(c)
.
(2)
The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (e) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Old Friends Senior Dogs, Inc.
(3)
The funds produced from the sale of Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Old Friends Senior Dogs, Inc., in accordance with §
55-4-301
. The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to save senior dogs located in shelters in this state and find them a loving foster family or remain at the sanctuary for the rest of their lives.
(f)
(1)
An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in §
55-4-204
, shall be issued a Tiger Haven new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by §
55-4-210(c)
.
(2)
The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (f) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Tiger Haven, Inc.
(3)
The funds produced from the sale of Tiger Haven new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Tiger Haven, Inc., in accordance with §
55-4-301
. The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to protect rescued big cats, including purchasing food and cages for the animals.
(4)
Notwithstanding §
55-4-202(k)(1)
, the Tiger Haven new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (f) has until July 1, 2023, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of §
55-4-202(k)(1)
.
(g)
(1)
An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in §
55-4-204
, shall be issued a Fighting for the Bullys new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by §
55-4-210(c)
.
(2)
The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection (g) must be designed in consultation with a representative of Fighting for the Bullys Pit Bull Rescue.
(3)
The funds produced from the sale of Fighting for the Bullys new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to Fighting for the Bullys Pit Bull Rescue in accordance with §
55-4-301
. The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission to rescue and save bully breeds located in animal shelters in this state and find them a loving foster family.
(4)
Notwithstanding § 55-4-202(k)(1), the Fighting for the Bullys new specialty earmarked license plate authorized pursuant to this subsection (g) has until July 1, 2025, to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements of § 55-4-202(k)(1).
(h)
(1)
An owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and paying the regular fee applicable to the motor vehicle and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204, shall be issued a Nashville Humane Association new specialty earmarked license plate for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c).
(2)
The new specialty earmarked plates provided for in this subsection ( ) must be designed in consultation with a representative of the Nashville Humane Association.
(3)
The funds produced from the sale of Nashville Humane Association new specialty earmarked license plates must be allocated to the Nashville Humane Association, in accordance with § 55-4-301. The funds must be used exclusively to support the organization's mission of finding responsible homes for at-risk, homeless, and adoptable pets, controlling pet overpopulation, and promoting the humane treatment of animals, while supporting pets and pet families in the community, and specifically to fund and support the organization's community pet food bank through the purchase of food, litter, treats, leashes, collars, bedding, and other pet-related items provided to the public free of charge at community pet food bank events.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 48, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 45, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 804,s 18, eff. 7/1/2024.
Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 250, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023.