Section 404-L. Distinctive regional design plates

1. On or after October
  first, nineteen hundred ninety-two, any person residing  in  this  state
  shall,  upon  request,  be  issued  a  license  plate with a distinctive
  regional design approved by the commissioner. The commissioner may  also
  issue  such  distinctive  plates  with  special  numerals and/or letters
  requested by the applicant. Application for said license plate shall  be
  filed  with the commissioner in such form and detail as the commissioner
  shall prescribe.
    2. A distinctive plate issued pursuant to this section shall be issued
  in the same manner as other number plates upon payment  of  the  regular
  registration  fee prescribed by section four hundred one of this article
  provided,  however,  that  an  additional  annual  service   charge   of
  thirty-one  dollars  and  twenty-five  cents  shall  be charged for such
  plates, and provided that a further additional annual service charge  of
  thirty-one  dollars  and twenty-five cents shall be charged for any such
  plate containing specially requested numerals and/or letters.  Provided,
  however,  in  lieu  of the annual fee specified herein, the commissioner
  may establish specific categories of plates for which an annual  fee  of
  not  less  than  eighteen  dollars  and seventy-five cents nor more than
  thirty-one dollars and twenty-five cents may be charged subject  to  the
  approval  of the director of the division of the budget. Notwithstanding
  any inconsistent provision of this  section,  the  difference  collected
  between  the  annual service charge or fee set forth in this subdivision
  in effect on and after September first, two thousand nine and the annual
  service charge or fee set forth in this subdivision in effect  prior  to
  such  date shall be deposited to the credit of the dedicated highway and
  bridge trust fund.