13. a. Prior to the deposit of license plate fees collected pursuant to section 11 of P.L.1996, c.135 (C. 39:3-27.80) into the fund, amounts thereof as are necessary shall be used to reimburse the Division of Motor Vehicles for all costs reasonably and actually incurred, as stipulated by the director, for:

(1) producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of shade tree and community forest preservation license plates; and

(2) any initial computer programming changes that may be necessary to implement the shade tree and community forest preservation license plate program established by P.L.1996, c.135 (C. 39:3-27.79 et al.).

b. The Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles shall annually certify to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection the average cost per license plate incurred in the immediately preceding year by the Division of Motor Vehicles in producing, issuing, renewing, and publicizing the availability of shade tree and community forest preservation license plates. The annual certification of the average cost per license plate shall be approved by the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, or its successor.

c. In the event that the average cost per license plate as certified by the director and approved by the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, or its successor, is greater than the $50 application fee established in subsection a. of section 11 of P.L.1996, c.135 (C. 39:3-27.80) in two consecutive fiscal years, the director may discontinue the issuance of shade tree and community forest preservation license plates.

L.1996,c.135,s.13.